Liverpool set to battle Real Madrid in BLOCKBUSTER £150m auction

Liverpool have come out of their shell a little this year in the transfer market, making big moves.

Generally speaking, the calibre of players that came through the door this summer was exceptionally high, regardless of the transfer fees involved. Milos Kerkez, for example, was seen as the best left-back in the Premier League the season before - he was the ideal recruit we could have signed.

But a lot of cash was splashed around as well, with up to £79m going on Hugo Ekitike, £116m on Florian Wirtz once the add-ons are considered, and a record £130m fee to secure Alexander Isak.

As such, the reputation that Liverpool are now a serious club has been established, with aims of retaining the title and going far in the Champions League as the ambitions. We're now a feared team.

In that sense, battling it out for the biggest talents in the world is going to become the norm and a potential £150m move for a player that's caught Real Madrid's eye might be the next big move.

Wharton fee could break records

According to Football Insider, the Reds 'have been tipped to pay a huge fee' for Crystal Palace's young star Adam Wharton, who could well be on the move next summer, now that a winter transfer has been ruled out by his coach Oliver Glasner. The competition for his signature is set to be rife.

In their report, Keith Wyness - former CEO at Everton - spoke on the transfer rumour. He said: "I've been very impressed with Wharton. I've watched him, and I saw him play against Everton the other week. He was a very impressive man of the match for me.

"I think you're looking at about a £150m type player for Palace. I think there's no doubt he's the right age. He's definitely going to be an England star. I think he'll feature pretty heavily in the World Cup in America next year.

"Wharton is a talent, and I think that's the sort of money that Palace could be looking for. There's a lot of interest; there will be an auction for him, I'm sure. Palace will not want to lose him, and they will not want to let him go for a lower price. So I think they'll get the right money."

Of course, if that figure was to be the Eagles' asking price for him, then it would be a Premier League record, surpassing the amount that Liverpool paid for Wirtz, and later Isak. Overall, it would represent third most expensive signing in football history, behind Kylian Mbappe and Neymar Jr.

Later in the report, the Reds are linked with Manchester City, Manchester United and Real Madrid as potential suitors for the 21-year-old Englishman, making it a high-stakes negotiation if Wharton is to become a Red in the near future.

Ignoring his expected transfer fee, a move to Liverpool would make a lot of sense, as he fits the age profile that the recruitment team is working around, he's a similar profile to Ryan Gravenberch in that he's a remarkable ball-carrier who can also play as a duel-winning defensive midfielder, and he's homegrown, who no doubt inflates his fee for the English clubs who are targeting him.

This is a special talent who would glisten the team for the next decade. Unfortunately, the price of agreeing a deal will be make or break for Liverpool. Getting the cheque book out for every dream target is not a responsible business practice unless significant outgoings follow, so it's not going to be a straightforward move, if the Reds decide to proceed with their interest.

Nonetheless, whoever secures Wharton will have hit the jackpot. Potentially, it could be Liverpool.

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