City Eye Wharton And Baleba For Midfield Boost
Sports Updated: 25 March 2026 16:13 EAT
Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace and Carlos Baleba of Brighton respectively are on Manchester City's radar this summer transfer window
Midfield reinforcements are shaping up to be a central theme of the summer transfer window, with reports indicating that elite central midfielders such as Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton are on the radar of top Premier League clubs, including Manchester City.
Wharton, 21, has broken through with Crystal Palace and earned senior England caps, emerging as one of the leading midfield prospects in the league and expected to command a significant fee at season’s end.
Manchester City’s interest in midfield reinforcements reportedly includes monitoring Wharton’s situation, with the club’s possession-based style potentially suited to his ball-carrying and tempo‑dictating qualities.
Another target under the spotlight is 22-year-old Cameroon international Carlos Baleba, whose combination of physicality, passing range, and box-to-box ability has drawn attention from Europe’s elite clubs.
Brighton, Baleba’s current club, are determined to retain him through the season, resisting midseason moves and signaling that any transfer would likely happen in the summer window.
Reports suggest Brighton have set an asking price in excess of €120 million for Baleba, reflecting his value and the financial challenge for clubs hoping to secure his services.
Despite early-season inconsistencies, Baleba has regained form and confidence following international duty, making him an attractive target for clubs seeking a dynamic midfield presence.
While Manchester United have been heavily linked with both Wharton and Baleba, City are believed to have registered informal interest in Wharton as part of their broader squad planning.
Competition for top central midfield talent will be fierce this summer, with several Premier League and European clubs expected to pursue a small pool of elite players.
No formal agreements have been reported between Manchester City and either Wharton or Baleba, with any potential transfer depending on club priorities, valuations, and the allure of Champions League football.
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FELIX MAKONA
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