Crystal Palace are facing a potential battle with Real Madrid to hold onto two of their best players.
The Eagles have already had to wave goodbye to Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze in recent years, who left for Bayern Munich and Arsenal respectively.
Now, Los Blancos have not one but two of the brightest talents in the South Londoners' squad on their radar.
Real Madrid could join pursuit for two top Crystal Palace stars
Not only are the south London outfit trying to fend off interest in their players, they also face potential a manager search at the end of the season, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Oliver Glasner does not intend to extend his contract beyond the summer.
It could be a club-defining summer for Palace, with the potential to knock a positive couple of seasons off course.
🚨 Understand Oliver Glasner plans not to sign new deal at Crystal Palace. 🇦🇹Austrian manager made his decision with next steps to follow + focused on continuing his excellent work this season.➕🎥 https://t.co/BGFRjxh1M0 pic.twitter.com/ziTGRdc7PADecember 25, 2025
According to a report from AS, Xabi Alonso’s side have been offered the chance to sign young midfielder Adam Wharton.
While the Spanish outlet claim Madrid are not currently actively chasing the deal, it is a position where they could use reinforcements, but they will not be alone should they choose to engage in the pursuit.
AS expect that a deal for Wharton will cost at least €70m (£60m), with Premier League quartet Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea all interested.
Should Los Blancos’ entourage pitch up at Selhurst Park, though, they may not only have the 21-year-old on their mind, as this report follows talk of a mooted move to the Bernabeu for centre-back Marc Guehi.
They may need to move faster on that front, however, with the England international’s contract expiring at the end of the month, and the likes of Manchester City circling, with Bayern, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid interested and also able to enter a pre-contract agreement.
In FourFourTwo’s opinion, it seems likely that Palace are going to have to prepare for life without Wharton and Guehi at some point in the near future.
With Wharton’s current deal running until 2029, there seems little point in disadvantaging themselves mid-season with a sale, so summer seems a more likely exit point for the youngster.
This window represents the last time Palace will be able to command a fee for Guehi, however, and with Manchester City facing an injury crisis in defence, a pre-contract deal for the summer may not be enough for Madrid to land their man.
Wharton is valued at €60m, according to Transfermarkt, who estimate Guehi is worth €55m.
