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Pierre Sage - the new manager of Crystal Palace - has recently discussed Adam Wharton’s future at the club following reported transfer interest from Manchester City. Adam Wharton has been linked with a potential move away from south London this summer, having come close to leaving Crystal Palace on various occasions in recent transfer windows with such a move not materialising. The 22-year-old has established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in England since moving to Selhurst Park from his boyhood club Blackburn Rovers back in January 2024. An England international, Adam Wharton represents the ideal profile of player City would usually target as they rebuild their options in the middle of the park, having allowed Bernardo Silva to leave on a free transfer to Real Madrid and sanctioning a sale for Rodri to Barcelona for £65.4 million earlier this month. After bidding farewell to Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan last summer, the Blues need urgent reinforcements in midfield as they hope to build on their positive start to the new Premier League season and a 2-1 win over Bournemouth on the opening weekend. Now is not the time to sell Wharton, says Palace's Sage Speaking prior to the weekend’s fixtures, Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage was asked about Adam Wharton’s future in south London and whether there is a chance the midfielder could still leave the club before the September 1 transfer deadline. “I think now is not the moment to do that (sell Wharton),” said Sage. “I think he is able to play in another club, in a big club, here or everywhere in Europe.” Wharton is under contract at Crystal Palace until the summer of 2029, meaning the Eagles have significant leverage in negotiating a fee with any potential suitor, if and when they would be open to offers. Pierre Sage added, “But I think one year with us, with a new dynamic, will be good for him, and we need him. That’s why I think he will stay with us." How Sage’s words impact Man City’s transfer window? Manchester City are currently scouting the market for two midfield additions after the recent departures of Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders, with the latter moving to Al Qadsiah after just 12 months at the Etihad Stadium. Manager Enzo Maresca has publicly expressed that the club need to get a move on when it comes to the market and close deals for priority targets, with Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi expected to complete a €100 million switch from Lille in the coming hours. Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez is also of interest to the Blues, with Maresca pushing for the signing behind the scenes as he looks to reunite with the Argentina international in the north-west - eight months after leaving Stamford Bridge. However, Chelsea’s asking price - which could yet be north of £120 million - for Fernandez is likely to prove detrimental to a deal with Manchester City, who retain an interest in the midfielder but are reluctant to match such a valuation having already signed Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a club-record £116 million earlier this summer.