Madrid Prepare €100m Swoop for Wharton as Klopp Eyes Schlotterbeck Raid on Barcelona

Real Madrid have signalled their intent to break the bank for Adam Wharton this summer, with the Bernabeu hierarchy prepared to table a €100m (£87m) offer for the Crystal Palace midfielder.

The 24-year-old finds himself on Manchester United's radar as one of four midfield targets the Red Devils are pursuing, though the Spanish giants are now determined to muscle in on the pursuit. Wharton's impressive performances last season—which saw Crystal Palace lift the FA Cup and finish 12th in the Premier League—have not gone unnoticed across Europe.

Real Madrid's resolve to land the former Blackburn man stems from a long-standing admiration. Xabi Alonso had previously requested the signing, only for the club to knock back the approach. Now, with concerns mounting over the quality and organisation of their midfield engine room, Madrid's hierarchy have resolved to go all-in for a playmaker of Wharton's calibre.

"Real Madrid's interest is not seen as just any ordinary move," one report notes. "In fact, it's a player Xabi Alonso had already requested, a move the club rejected. However, now, seeing that there's an abundance of muscle and a lack of talent in the Real Madrid midfield, those at the Bernabeu are clear that they must go all out for a playmaker like Adam Wharton, despite his high price tag."

The midfielder's potential departure from Selhurst Park looks increasingly likely given the upheaval at Palace. Manager Oliver Glasner has already confirmed his exit, and the boss recently acknowledged the unsettled atmosphere pervading the squad.

"Many players think they have to move on and some are looking at where they will play next year rather than where they are playing right now," Glasner said. "This is part of success, but it is never a good circumstance."

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown has urged caution over Wharton's recent form, however. Speaking to Football Insider, Brown suggested the midfielder's performances have dipped of late—a concern that could undermine his value in the marketplace.

"I think there are some concerns about Wharton's performances," Brown explained. "It's not a massive problem, players go through dips in form especially when the team are struggling to get results, but he has really dropped off recently."

Brown believes Glasner's comments about players losing focus have cast doubt over who might be vulnerable, with Wharton potentially among those whose heads have been turned.

"We know there's interest in him and clubs have been looking at him, but he can't afford to let his performances drop while he's still a Palace player," Brown added. "He's part of that spine of the team that I've always said they need to do whatever they can to keep, it's Wharton, Henderson, Lacroix, and before it was Mateta. Now Mateta looks like he's off after everything that happened with him, and Palace have to look at who might be next. It's a real shame, to be honest."

Klopp Could Block Barcelona's Schlotterbeck Deal

Meanwhile, incoming Real Madrid manager Jurgen Klopp could prove instrumental in prying Borussia Dortmund centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck away from Barcelona's clutches.

The German defender has long featured on Barcelona's shortlist, with head coach Hansi Flick keen to bring in his compatriot to strengthen the Camp Nou backline. However, Real Madrid have now cranked up their efforts to land the 24-year-old, with Klopp set to play a pivotal role in any potential switch to the Bernabeu.

Reports suggest Schlotterbeck would opt for Madrid without hesitation should Klopp replace Alvaro Arbeloa in the hotseat—a scenario that could see Barcelona miss out on a target they've long pursued.