Exclusive: Jude Bellingham comparison made as Adam Wharton, Real Madrid news emerges | OneFootball

David Prutton spoke exclusively to Football League World about Real Madrid's reported transfer interest in ex-Blackburn Rovers star Adam Wharton

Sky Sports pundit David Prutton is surprised to see ex-Blackburn Rovers midfielder Adam Wharton linked with a sensational move to Real Madrid, but noted the not-too-dissimilar trajectory of one such Jude Bellingham.

Wharton has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the last year after earning a reported £22 million move to Crystal Palace from Blackburn in January 2024.

A product of Rovers' academy, Wharton racked up 51 appearances, including 29 in the first-half of the 2023/24 campaign, before heading to the Premier League.

Having signed for Palace while still a teenager, the 21-year-old's swift impact on proceedings left many surprised as he instantly established himself under Oliver Glasner last time out, impressing enough to receive a first call-up to Gareth Southgate's England squad for EURO 2024.

Wharton's influence this time around has been restricted by injuries, although his talent and potential remain in little doubt as the vultures continue to circle. As per a recent report from Mail Sport, Spanish giants Real Madrid have been monitoring Wharton, who is also of interest to the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool.

Los Blancos' interest is the latest footnote in a stunning trajectory for the highly-rated midfielder, and it will be interesting to see just what lies ahead for him come the summer.

David Prutton's verdict on Real Madrid transfer interest in ex-Blackburn Rovers star Adam Wharton

EFL expert Prutton admitted he is surprised to see Wharton in contention to join Real Madrid just over a year on from turning out at Ewood Park.

However, he did cite the example of Bellingham, who broke onto the scene in the Championship with Birmingham City and then spent a number of successful seasons at Borussia Dortmund before earning a move to Carlo Ancelotti's side nearly two summers ago.

"Having seen him a few seasons ago - he only clocked up just over 50 appearances for Blackburn - in a side and a club which was always starting well in seasons and then dropping away from the New Year onwards, he was a reliable, calm and composed presence in the midfield, whose performances belied his years," Prutton explained when speaking exclusively to Football League World.

"Eyebrows were raised about the amount of money he cost, even though there were some Blackburn fans saying £22 million was nowhere near enough.

"I still think it was a punt on potential and unknown talent at that level, but my word has he settled into that really well. I saw him just the other week making his comeback [from injury] for Palace and getting straight into the rhythm of a Palace side who are collectively outperforming where we would expect them to be.

"To be brutally honest, you wouldn't expect to see that trajectory from Blackburn Rovers to Real Madrid in such a short space of time. But the way he moves and gets about the pitch and the understated manner in which he approaches his profession, his ability to handle the pressure - whether it's England squads or Premier League football - means you have a lot of the make-up that would help him to perform at a top club such as that.

"Of course, there's the template of Jude Bellingham who managed to bounce up into the first-team and then move abroad and seal a huge move to Real Madrid. So if it can happen to a boy from Birmingham, I'm sure it can happen to a boy from the North West.

"But it's a huge jump between there and potentially playing for Los Blancos."

Blackburn Rovers could receive significant Adam Wharton, Real Madrid cash windfall

Blackburn will have a sense of pride watching Wharton from afar, which will only amplify if he does indeed earn a move to Real Madrid.

But any such move would also offer a huge financial benefit to Rovers, who have been cash-strapped under the controversial ownership of the Venky's in recent times. That's because, as per reports, Blackburn have a 10-15 per cent sell-on clause in any potential deal green-lighted by the Eagles.

It has been reported that Wharton is now valued at £70 million. If the England international were to leave South London for that sum, Blackburn would be in line to receive £5 million, which could make a big difference as Valerien Ismael looks to work on his squad heading into the summer and beyond.

Whether Wharton will even move or just how much of any potential sum Ismael would be able to utilise in the club's transfer budget both remain to be seen, of course, but it could offer a potential boost and Blackburn will be even happier to see the midfielder's continued success since departing Lancashire.