Man City 'eye Crystal Palace transfer swap' and could give away wonderkid

Manchester City’s chase for Adam Wharton could be boosted by Crystal Palace’s increasing interest in James McAtee, according to reports. The 22-year-old Etihad starlet, McAtee, is high on the Eagles’ January transfer window wishlist and would command a fee of around £25million.

This potential move could open the door for Palace’s central midfielder Wharton to make a switch in the opposite direction, report the Daily Star. The England international, currently sidelined due to injury, carries a hefty price tag of £60m after an impressive six-month stint last season at Selhurst Park following his £18m transfer from Blackburn.

City boss Pep Guardiola is a big admirer of 20-year-old Wharton but fears that Palace may not be willing to let him go anytime soon. However, with Palace now eyeing McAtee, City might agree to negotiate – potentially offering a player-plus-cash deal for Wharton.

The reigning English champions would need to put at least £35m on the table, along with academy graduate McAtee, to make this happen when the transfer window opens next month. Whether Wharton is open to a move is yet to be seen.

However, if he feels that the south London club is ready to let him go – at the right price – he might be convinced.