Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank has not lost hope of striking a summer deal for leading target Adam Wharton despite Premier League rivals Crystal Palace insisting that it could take a nine-figure sum to convince them to sanction a move to Hotspur Way, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
Spurs have not been afraid to splash the cash as they prepare for a season which will include Champions League action, leading to £55million being spent on recruiting Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United, but the north Londoners have remained in the market for further big-name reinforcements.
Although Morgan Gibbs-White's switch to Tottenham has been delayed after Nottingham Forest made a legal complaint over the £60million pursuit, there is a desire to land more fresh faces as preparations are made for a clash with Paris Saint-Germain in the battle for Super Cup glory on August 13.
Spurs Continue Contemplating Wharton Move
Central midfielder remains firmly in north Londoners' sights
Tottenham may not be put off signing Wharton for in the region of £100million, according to GMS sources, and he has remained on their shortlist of potential acquisitions as they continue eyeing ambitious deals in the aftermath of ending their silverware drought by getting their hands on the Europa League trophy in May.
The one-cap England international is firmly in Spurs' sights, having been described as 'outstanding' by record Premier League goalscorer Alan Shearer, and he would be tasked with providing the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr with fresh competition for a regular starting berth if he is given the green light to embark on a fresh challenge.
GMS sources have been informed that Tottenham's desire to make further eye-catching alterations to their squad means they may not be deterred for long in their pursuit of Wharton, who enjoyed FA Cup glory during a 2024/25 campaign impacted by injury, even though Crystal Palace have increased their valuation.
The Eagles are in a strong negotiating position as the central midfielder still has four years remaining on his £35,000-per-week contract at Selhurst Park, which will complicate matters for Spurs and other admirers contemplating whether to test his current employers' resolve with a formal proposal.
Crystal Palace are adamant that Wharton is in the same bracket as Arsenal's Declan Rice when it comes to his potential in the Premier League, GMS sources have learned, resulting in the south Londoners using his £105million switch from West Ham as a marker of how valuable their fan favourite could be in the transfer market.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Adam Wharton won four ground duels and made as many clearances during Crystal Palace's victory over Tottenham Hotspur in October
Frank Aware Swoop for Wharton Still Difficult
England international would have to become club-record acquisition
GMS sources have been told that Tottenham have acknowledged that it will be tough to convince Crystal Palace to sell Wharton, but he has been identified as a target by Frank and they will continue keeping tabs on his situation ahead of potentially entering negotiations ahead of the transfer window slamming shut on September 1.
The 21-year-old's consistent performances in the Premier League, since sealing a switch worth up to £22million from Championship side Blackburn Rovers to Selhurst Park in February 2024, have resulted in the Danish tactician showing an interest in handing him an opportunity to move onto pastures new.
Tottenham are aware that Crystal Palace's lofty demands are threatening to result in Wharton being out of their reach for now, but GMS sources understand that Frank is keeping him in his sights even though he would have to make him the most expensive signing in the north Londoners' history.
GMS sources recently revealed that the tough tackler has been pinpointed as Spurs' dream signing despite there being an awareness behind the scenes that they will find it difficult to persuade their domestic counterparts to give him the go-ahead to move across the capital for a fresh challenge.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 14/07/2025