Manchester United are being tipped to win the race for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton next summer, while a move for free agent David Alaba has been ruled out, according to the latest reports from Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick's side signed three new midfielders this summer in Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba from Aston Villa, Chelsea and Brighton respectively. However, a fourth addition has been touted for next season by former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel, which would see United get the better of their biggest rivals.
Wharton tipped for United switch
Crystal Palace managed to hold onto Wharton this summer, but the England star won't stay at Selhurst Park for long, according to Obi Mikel. The 22-year-old has attracted numerous suitors due to his impressive performances in his nearly three-year stint in south London.
Wharton has been linked with moves to Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool over the past year, but Obi Mikel believes it is the Red Devils that will win the race for his signature next season.
Speaking during a live Q&A with AFTV's Robbie Lyle broadcast on The Obi One Podcast, the former Nigeria international said: "I love him! I love Adam Wharton, I'm a big, big fan. I think he's going to go places, though, I think next season he will leave Crystal Palace. I think they want to keep him for one more season, and I see him going to Manchester United next season."
Alaba move ruled out
Long gone are the days where United would target big-name players past their prime. Signing the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Edinson Cavani and the return of Cristiano Ronaldo is a strategy the club haven't followed for a number of years.
With an onus on signing young players with extremely high potential, a move for free agent star Alaba has been ruled out for Carrick's side, according to the Manchester Evening News. United correspondent Tyrone Marshall was engaged in a Q&A with United fans, where he was asked why the club were not considering moves for Alaba and fellow former Real Madrid stars, Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal.
He answered: "From what I have been told, United aren't looking at the free agent market. Many of these players available are past their best; Ramos and Carvajal certainly fit that description. Others have been released because their games have regressed, such as Alaba."
"Essentially, they are free agents for a reason, but they are also players who in the past have been paid very handsomely. They don't fit the recruitment model that Ineos have introduced at Old Trafford."
