Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank is looking to continue the north Londoners' spending spree and has pinpointed Adam Wharton as a leading target despite being aware that it will be difficult to convince Crystal Palace to sanction a move to Hotspur Way, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
Spurs wrapped up the £55million acquisition of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United on Thursday and, with preparations being made for a campaign which will include Champions League action, chairman Daniel Levy has given the green light to negotiate further big-money deals.
Nottingham Forest talisman Morgan Gibbs-White was on course to become the next addition to Tottenham's squad with a medical scheduled, although the move is currently delayed after the Reds lodged an official complaint against Spurs, but Wharton is also firmly in Frank's sights as another possible recruit.
Frank Eyeing an Ambitious Move for Wharton
North Londoners aware deal for central midfielder will be difficult
Wharton has been identified as Tottenham's dream signing after Gibbs-White, according to GMS sources, and plans have been made to continue splashing the cash as they aim to build on ending their lengthy trophy drought by enjoying Europa League glory in the final days of the 2024/25 campaign.
Spurs have acknowledged that the central midfielder will not come cheap, with domestic counterparts Crystal Palace insisting it will take upwards of £80million to tempt them into entertaining a deal, but they are still circling and weighing up whether to test their resolve with a formal offer.
GMS sources have been informed that Levy is allowing Frank to define exactly the type of player he wants to attract to Tottenham and the Danish tactician has asked to explore an ambitious move for Wharton, who won the FA Cup during a productive 2024/25 campaign, as the new Premier League season edges closer.
The one-cap England international has been described as 'phenomenal' thanks to the impact he has made at Crystal Palace since his arrival from Championship side Blackburn Rovers and, should he stay at Selhurst Park, he is poised to remain at the forefront of boss Oliver Glasner's plans.
Tottenham are aware that it will be difficult to convince their London neighbours to offload Wharton ahead of the transfer window slamming shut on September 1, GMS sources have learned, but Frank is determined to make his mark after being named as Ange Postecoglou's successor.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Adam Wharton won four ground duels and made as many clearances during Crystal Palace's victory over Tottenham Hotspur in October
Wharton Fits Bill Due to Top Flight Experience
Spurs determined to bring in proven Premier League quality
GMS sources have been told that Wharton has been earmarked as a presence who fits the bill as Tottenham are particularly eager to recruit big-names who already have vast amounts of Premier League experience, which played a part in prioritising moves for Kudus and Gibbs-White ahead of the upcoming campaign.
But Crystal Palace are in a strong negotiating position and under no pressure to offload their 21-year-old fan favourite as he still has four years remaining on his £35,000-per-week contract, which is complicating matters for Spurs as they continue considering testing the south Londoners' resolve.
Tottenham have enquired about the availability of Bayern Munich's Joao Palhinha after Angel Gomes and Johnny Cardoso were among their targets before winning the Europa League, GMS sources understand, while links to Juventus' Douglas Luiz have been played down as Fabio Paratici has privately indicated that a move is not on the cards.
GMS sources recently revealed that Spurs have been holding discussions over recruiting Maxime Esteve after he played a crucial role in Burnley winning promotion to the top flight, highlighting that Frank is being heavily backed by Levy in the transfer market after he was lured away from the Brentford hot-seat.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 11/07/2025