Newcastle United are now showing an interest in snapping up Blackburn Rovers midfielder Adam Wharton at the end of the season.
That is according to a report from The Sun’s Alan Nixon, who reports that Newcastle have joined the race for Wharton’s signature.
It’s stated that Newcastle transfer chief Dan Ashworth has personally been to watch Wharton ahead of a potential move.
Wharton was scouted last week as Newcastle consider their summer transfer business.
Crystal Palace as well as Ashworth’s former club Brighton and Hove Albion are also understood to be interested in Wharton.
Yet with Newcastle placing a keen focus on signing emerging talent, they are now weighing up a summer move for Wharton.
Rovers are in a strong position here as Wharton is under contract at Ewood Park until 2027, meaning they can command a big fee.
Who is Newcastle United target Adam Wharton?
Wharton was born in Blackburn and is a boyhood Rovers fan, so prising him away from Ewood Park won’t be easy.
A holding midfielder, Wharton has made his way up through the Rovers ranks and is now a first-team star at just 18.
Wharton made his league debut back in August 2022 and has now made 15 Championship appearances this season.
The teenager was impressive on Saturday afternoon as Rovers played out a 1-1 draw with rivals Preston North End.
Blackburn is really in the family for Wharton as his older brother Scott – a defender – is also at Jon Dahl Tomasson’s disposal.
Tomasson has hailed Wharton lately, suggesting that he is ‘excellent’ at controlling games with his quality on the ball in midfield.
Should Wharton end up joining Newcastle, he would follow in the footsteps of Alan Shearer in terms of leaving Rovers to join Newcastle.
That move certainly worked out well for Shearer and Wharton certainly has the quality and potential to become a Magpies star in his own right.
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