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Real Madrid scout Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, Arsenal eye Thomas Partey replacements - Paper Round
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Published 03/03/2025 at 23:47 GMT
Tuesday’s Paper Round leads on Real Madrid’s interest in Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, with the UEFA Champions League holders sending a scout to watch the England international. Elsewhere, Arsenal are looking to replace Thomas Partey this summer, Andre Onana wants to stay at Manchester United, and David Moyes is set to have more transfer powers than Sean Dyche at Everton.
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Real Madrid sent a scout to watch Adam Wharton following his return from injury at Crystal Palace, the Daily Mail reports.
The 21-year-old is expected to be named in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad this month, and after returning to first-team action following hernia surgery he is also attracting interest from other Premier League clubs after Real’s Juni Calafat, chief scout for the UEFA Champions League holders, went to monitor the player’s progress.
The Mail adds: “Manchester City had been expected to make a move for him in the January window, but his injury came at the wrong time with the Premier League champions eventually plumping for Nico Gonzalez from Porto.
“Manchester United and Liverpool are also among Wharton's admirers, but they have other priorities for the summer window.
“Palace bought Wharton from Blackburn Rovers in a deal worth £22 million after sporting director Dougie Freedman pushed to sign him ahead of other Premier League rivals but he is now valued around £70m after establishing himself as one of the best holding midfielders in the top flight.”
Arsenal’s three Partey replacements
Arsenal have their eye on three players to possibly replace Thomas Partey with the midfielder expected to leave the club this summer, the Mirror reports.
The Gunners are yet to offer the midfielder a new deal, and it is believed he will now leave at the end of the season as Mikel Arteta plans a reshuffle.
On Arsenal’s three targets, the Mirror writes: ”Arsenal's priority midfield signing this summer is likely to be Martin Zubimendi. Arteta is known to be an admirer and the player's stock rose further when he impressed at Euro 2024. Real Sociedad were able to rebuff Liverpool's interest last summer but could now be resigned to his exit.
“As the north Londoners look to regenerate their squad, Arteta is keeping tabs on Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich. The German is out of contract this summer and the Bavarians have just pulled back their offer of a new deal, which could make him available for nothing.
“Another player on Arsenal's radar is highly rated Norwegian teenager Sverre Nypan. He is currently at Rosenborg but is tipped to move on in the summer with a host of Premier League clubs, including Liverpool and Arsenal, keeping tabs on his movements and development.”
Onana vows to fight on at Man Utd
Andre Onana has no intention of leaving Manchester United this summer despite Ruben Amorim’s plans to sign a new goalkeeper, the Manchester Evening News reports.
The Cameroonian has struggled for form this season but United are the only club he wants to play for despite the suggestion Amorim may find a replacement in the next transfer window.
The MEN adds: “Onana, 28, has played 86 times for United and is under contract to the club until 2028 but his errors in recent months have brought his future into question.
“United are expected to recruit a new ‘keeper for Amorim’s first full campaign as Tom Heaton is likely to retire when his contract expires in June. No. 2 goalie and Turkey international Altay Bayindir’s future could lie elsewhere should he seek more playing time before the 2026 World Cup.
“The Africa Cup of Nations is also staged in December and January in 2025/26, with an earlier start date of December 18 which could deprive United of Cameroon international Onana for their festive fixture schedule.”
Moyes’ transfer power
Everton manager David Moyes is set to have a greater say over transfers than predecessor Sean Dyche, The i Paper reports.
New Everton owners the Friedkin Group are set to make several key appointments, and that could see a major recruitment overhaul given director of football Kevin Thelwell is likely to depart when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The i Paper adds: “Thelwell continues to operate with a “business as usual” remit - with no change in his operating role - but he will now not be a driving force in one of the biggest close seasons in recent history at the club.
“He is well thought of at Everton and has helped guide the club through one of the rockiest spells in their history but there is an eagerness to move in a new direction, with Moyes set to be given more control over incomings than predecessor Sean Dyche ahead of a summer of unprecedented change in the squad.
“As well as a huge number of probable exits - 13 senior players are either out of contract or returning to parent clubs - Everton will benefit from a lower wage bill and a much-improved position in regard to the Premier League‘s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) that should allow them to invest “significant” transfer fees in rebuilding their squad.
“The recruitment remit is expected to change significantly and it was telling that in Januar,y Everton didn’t progress on some of the targets lined up by Thelwell, preferring to keep their powder dry as Moyes assessed his options.”
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