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September 6, 2024
Liverpool and Manchester City are set to compete for Crystal Palace star Michael Olise after missing out on Martin Zubimendi. Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp has shared his thoughts on Manchester United’s decision to loan out Jadon Sancho, criticizing the player’s lack of support.
Even though the transfer window is shut, clubs are eyeing potential signings for next summer.
The City could be active if reports were accurate that a move to Real Madrid might tempt star Rodri.
As the top defensive midfielder globally and a leading contender for this year’s Ballon d’Or, the Spaniard would create a significant gap if he leaves. However, even if he remains, the Citizens are eager to strengthen their already strong midfield.
In pursuit of this, the Daily Mail reports that City are monitoring Wharton, who moved to Palace from Blackburn Rovers in January for £22 million and is under contract until 2029.
The 20-year-old’s rapid ascent from the Championship to the Premier League and England’s Euro 2024 squad has been remarkable. He’s poised to be a crucial player for Oliver Glasner as Palace aims to qualify for Europe for the first time.
Wharton’s defensive and technical skills make him a strong candidate to replace the dominant Rodri. However, City faces competition from other Premier League giants who are also eyeing his services.
Liverpool still seeks a new defensive midfielder after losing out on Martin Zubimendi, who was signed for £51 million.
The Spaniard seemed poised to be Arne Slot’s first signing for the Reds, but the Euro winner opted to stay at Real Sociedad at the last moment.
Liverpool had other options on their shortlist but chose not to make a move. Ryan Gravenberch has been impressive as Slot’s deepest midfielder in the season’s early matches.
In addition to Wharton, the Reds are reportedly considering Palace defender Marc Guehi, who stayed at Selhurst Park despite significant interest from Newcastle.
City had shown interest in signing Eagles attacker Eberechi Eze but still needed to follow through. He and Guehi are now looking to catch the eye of new England boss Lee Carsley in this week’s Nations League matches.
Wharton withdrew from the U21 side to recover from a groin injury but is expected to be fit for Palace’s next match against Leicester on September 14.
Jurgen Klopp’s comments suggest he might disagree with Manchester United’s choice to loan out Jadon Sancho. The former Liverpool manager shared his views on Sancho’s situation after he played a key role in helping Borussia Dortmund reach the Champions League final.
Sancho’s fallout with United manager Erik ten Hag over being excluded from the matchday squad a year ago led to his exile in Manchester. After returning from the Bundesliga, he was only reintegrated into the first team this summer.
As deadline day progressed, it became evident that Sancho would be moving from Manchester to Stamford Bridge. The £72 million talent has joined Chelsea on loan, with the club committed to a future purchase.
Before the transfer was finalized, Klopp argued that Sancho deserved more support: “If the whole world loses trust and faith in the player, the manager has to be behind the player. I cannot just buy into that ‘he’s useless’ like other clubs did, by the way – buying a player for £80 million and then sending him out on loan!”
Sancho leaves United after scoring just 12 goals. His spot in the national team has diminished since returning to the Premier League. Still, he’s now ready to test himself at Chelsea, where he’ll join a squad full of talent.
Dan Ashworth, Old Trafford’s sporting director, explained the rationale behind Sancho’s sale in a conversation with Sky Sports. With the club’s forward line heavily stocked and Sancho not featuring in Ten Hag’s plans this season, it became clear that his opportunities would likely remain limited.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for 24kbet, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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