Liverpool’s pursuit of Moises Caicedo in 2023 did not end the way they hoped, and the Ecuadorian’s time at Chelsea has not exactly softened the blow for those at Anfield.
The Reds were prepared to break their transfer record for Caicedo during his time at Brighton, but he opted for a move to Stamford Bridge instead.
In that same window, Liverpool also missed out on Romeo Lavia, though they did manage to land Rio Ngumoha from Chelsea the following summer.
That back-and-forth continued recently when Deinner Ordonez joined Chelsea after being linked with Liverpool.
The latest development in their ongoing transfer battles has seen Liverpool enter talks over a player both clubs have been tracking closely.
Liverpool open talks with Crystal Palace over Adam Wharton as Chelsea look to swoop
Adam Wharton has quickly established himself as one of Europe’s top young midfielders, catching the eye of major clubs both in England and abroad.
Chelsea have floated the idea of a swap deal for Wharton, with Trevoh Chalobah potentially heading to Selhurst Park as part of the agreement.
Liverpool’s interest in the Crystal Palace midfielder is not new, and according to DAVEOCKOP, discussions are now underway.
“Liverpool are holding initial talks to discuss signing Crystal Palace and England star Adam Wharton in 2026,” says the report.
“Based on our understanding, this is a move likely for the summer of 2026 rather than in the January window.”
This could be an issue for Chelsea. Reports have suggested that Wharton favours a move to Anfield, so if Liverpool can meet Palace’s valuation, they could have an edge.
Given that the Blues are also keeping tabs on Elliot Anderson, they might pivot their focus to other targets.
Wharton’s rising profile draws heavy competition
On top of Liverpool and Chelsea, both Manchester United and Real Madrid are reportedly interested in Wharton.
The 21-year-old has been instrumental in Palace’s success under Oliver Glasner, standing out for his technical ability among other qualities.
Despite their current squad depth, Chelsea would still be interested in a talent like Wharton, particularly given their ongoing efforts to move Romeo Lavia on.
Securing his signature will face significant competition, as the cost of outbidding major clubs like Madrid and Liverpool is likely to be substantial.
It remains to be seen how Chelsea will respond to this news. However, if they are serious about acquiring Wharton, they may need to intensify their pursuit in the near future.
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