Premier League club submit £18.5m bid for Newcastle United & Everton transfer target

Blackburn Rovers have rejected a bid from Crystal Palace for reported Newcastle United transfer target Adam Wharton.

The England under-20s international is understood to have attracted interest from multiple Premier League clubs, including Newcastle, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur. But it is Palace currently leading the chase after testing Rovers' resolve with a £18.5million offer.

So far, the Championship club have stood firm but Roy Hodgson's side are expected to return with an improved bid.

The 19-year-old has shone for Blackburn this season having registered five goal contributions in 26 appearances. Wharton has been with the Lancashire club since the age of six and recently signed a new contract until June 2028.

Wharton, who was named Blackburn’s young player of the season for 2022-23, has made 51 senior outings since making his debut in August 2022.

It remains to be seen if Newcastle will strengthen their squad in the remaining days of the January transfer window. Eddie Howe is keen to sign a midfielder with Joelinton, Elliot Anderson and Joe Willock sidelined, while Sandro Tonali is banned until August.

However, United will likely have to sell before buying this window as they comply with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Howe, speaking after Saturday's 2-0 FA Cup fourth round win at Fulham, admits it's a "possibility someone could leave".

Kieran Trippier has confirmed he is staying at St James' Park amid interest from Bayern Munich. The future of Miguel Almiron is a little less certain as clubs in Saudi Arabia circle. Meanwhile, Callum Wilson has been linked with Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and English teams.

“Would I take that [the window shutting now]? Yeah, I probably would,” said Howe. “If you gave me that choice now, I would probably take it.

“That’s with no knowledge of what’s going to happen in the next few days because I’m probably as much in the dark as you are. I’ve been out of contact for 24 hours. Let’s see what happens when I get back into what else is happening, other than this game. I think if we’re able to go with the same squad that we have had, then I would take that.”