London rivals keen to retain Tottenham target; new deal on the cards

Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton is set to be offered a new deal as Tottenham Hotspur linger
Credit where its due, Tottenham look like a completely transformed team under Thomas Frank this season. The Danish tactician has managed to get the best out of his players through exceptional man-management skills and tactical clarity. And it looks like the squad has also responded well to his demands as the Lilywhites aim to build on last season’s Europa League success.
The only glaring concern for the North London club is that Frank is yet to settle on his ideal midfield combination for this season. So far, the ex-Brentford boss has tried and tested a lot of players to play alongside Joao Palhinha as he looks to find the perfect balance in the middle of the park. Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr, and Lucas Bergvall have all been deployed in the #8 role, but none of them have made that position their own.
This inconsistency highlights Tottenham’s lack of a true progressive ball-carrier to complement Palhinha. Given how much Frank depends on his midfielders to initiate build-up play and create chances from deep, it is becoming increasingly vital for Spurs to reinforce their midfield when the transfer window opens in a few months’ time.
Tottenham aiming to land Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton
Recent reports suggest that Tottenham are trying hard to land Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton in January after missing out on the talented midfielder in the summer. The England international has made some huge strides at Selhurst Park in recent seasons, prompting the Lilywhites to make a move for him again. The North London club is willing to fend off competition from other teams for his signature, showcasing their clear intent on getting him to N17.
However, Spurs are all set to suffer a setback in their efforts to land the 21-year-old in the winter transfer window. As per Mail Online, Crystal Palace are now planning to offer improved terms and a potential release clause to Adam Wharton in the coming months. The Eagles view him as an important player and want his new contract to reflect how highly they rate him.
The potential release clause will give Palace the opportunity to make a profit on Wharton if he eventually decides to leave for pastures new in the summer. The aforementioned report also states that the talented midfielder is happy to stay at Selhurst Park for the time being and is not forcing a way out of the club as top clubs enter the fray for his signature.
However, Spurs fans will hope that the Lilywhites do everything they can to land the midfield prodigy in the coming months. Signing Wharton would instantly turn the North London club from top-four contenders to title challengers in the Premier League. He is the perfect player to operate in the #8 role under Thomas Frank, with the Danish tactician giving him the total freedom to advance forward.