Real Madrid Pursues Adam Wharton as Liverpool Targets Leoni

Real Madrid has set its sights on Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, joining a competitive field of clubs interested in the promising 21-year-old. This pursuit highlights the LaLiga giants’ strategy to bolster their squad with young talent. The interest in Wharton comes as Liverpool has reportedly reached personal terms with Parma defender Giovanni Leoni, further intensifying the summer transfer market.

Scouts from Real Madrid have been closely monitoring Wharton, who has become a pivotal player for Crystal Palace since his transfer from Blackburn Rovers in 2024. His performance has not only caught the eyes of Los Blancos but also attracted attention from several Premier League rivals, including Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United. As a result, competition for the England international is expected to be fierce.

Liverpool’s Defensive Reinforcement

Meanwhile, Liverpool is preparing a bid of approximately €35 million for Leoni, according to journalist Nicolò Schira. The club has already agreed on personal terms with the 18-year-old, who is set to sign a six-year contract that would keep him at Anfield until 2031. Parma is reportedly seeking a fee of €30 million plus €5 million in performance-related bonuses, indicating a serious approach from Liverpool as they aim to strengthen their defensive lineup under manager Arne Slot.

In a related development, Newcastle United is weighing a move for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. The 28-year-old has emerged as a primary target for the Magpies as they search for a replacement for Alexander Isak, who has expressed a desire to leave the club. Crystal Palace is reportedly open to accepting an offer in the region of £40 million for Mateta, who has netted 30 goals across the last two Premier League seasons.

Further Transfer Rumors and Developments

Liverpool attacking midfielder Harvey Elliott is also generating interest, with RB Leipzig showing a willingness to negotiate. The 22-year-old played a significant role in England’s success at the European Under-21 Championship this summer but featured in less than half of Liverpool’s matches in their title-winning campaign. Elliott expressed his desire to avoid stagnation in his career, stating, “I don’t really want to be wasting years [of] my career because it’s a short career.”

Additionally, Newcastle is intensifying its efforts to secure Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa, with ongoing negotiations about a £40 million deal. The Magpies appear optimistic about winning the race for the 24-year-old, despite interest from West Ham United. Should Ramsey leave, Aston Villa is reportedly keen on re-signing PSG midfielder Marco Asensio, who had a successful loan spell at Villa Park last season.

In confirmed transfers, Newcastle United has finalized the signing of Germany international defender Malick Thiaw from AC Milan for a reported fee of £34.6 million, including add-ons. Additionally, former France youth international centre-back Bafodé Diakité has joined Bournemouth from Lille.

With the summer transfer window in full swing, clubs across Europe are actively pursuing deals that will shape the upcoming season. The situation remains fluid, with numerous negotiations ongoing and potential moves that could significantly impact team compositions across the continent.