Chelsea and Crystal Palace learn of Blackburn Rovers' Adam Wharton demands amid Tottenham hijack talk | OneFootball

Blackburn Rovers are holding out for up to £25 million for Adam Wharton this January.

According to Football Insider, the Lancashire outfit is hoping to earn a club record fee for a player sale in order to agree a deal for the midfielder.

Crystal Palace have been linked with a move for Wharton throughout the winter market. The Premier League side have seen multiple bids rejected for the 19-year-old, including an offer worth up to £18.5 million.

It is believed Rovers are keen to keep Wharton at the club until the summer, and may even agree to a sale this month if he can be loaned back until the end of the campaign.

Palace are said to be keen to bring the player into the fold this month due to a lack of options in midfield.

Cheick Doucoure’s injury means that the London side is unlikely to agree to a loan move for Wharton back to Ewood Park.

However, there is some danger that Tottenham Hotspur may hijack their attempts to sign the Blackburn star.

Spurs are searching for a new midfield option, and are exploring other potential targets at the moment.

But it is understood that they may move forward with a bid to sign the Blackburn youngster this month to avoid missing out on his signature.

It has also been reported that Chelsea may enter the race to sign the Rovers player, with the Blues scouting his recent performances.

A number of other big clubs have been linked with a move to sign Wharton, but it will take up to £25 million to convince Blackburn to cash in this January.

Wharton has a deal with the Championship side until the summer of 2028, giving them a strong negotiating position.

The likes of Wolves and Newcastle United are also reportedly monitoring the situation involving the 19-year-old.

Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United have all also been linked with a potential move to sign the player.

Blackburn Rovers league position

Blackburn are currently 18th in the Championship table, eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Rovers are 10 points adrift of the play-off places, with their recent form seeing them fall behind their promotion rivals.

Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side have not won any of their last seven league games, which has seen them plummet down the table.

Next up for the Lancashire club is an FA Cup clash with League Two side Wrexham this evening, with the winner set to face Newcastle United in the fifth round.

A reasonable asking price for Wharton

Wharton is an exceptional talent, perhaps the most promising in the entire second division.

That there are clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham all keeping a close eye on his progress says everything about his potential.

A fee in the region of £25 million would be huge for Rovers, who are otherwise not sitting in the most financially secure position.

Given the length left on Wharton’s contract, they are entirely within their rights to play hard-ball, as it could prove quite lucrative for the club to do so.