Tottenham Hotspur have discovered that they will have to shatter their transfer record if they want to stand a chance of winning the race for Adam Wharton and welcome the Crystal Palace star to Hotspur Way during the summer transfer window, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
Spurs are already aware that they will have to spend £20.9million of their budget on Kevin Danso, due to the central defender's initial loan switch from French outfit Lens including an obligation to buy, but boss Ange Postecoglou is working closely with technical director Johan Lange and chairman Daniel Levy to identify potential recruits.
There are no plans to take advantage of the option to keep Timo Werner on a permanent basis, meaning he is on course to return to Bundesliga side RB Leipzig at the end of the campaign, and Tottenham have set their sights on improving their options in the middle of the park as they prepare for next term.
Spurs Facing Fresh Wharton Stumbling Block
England international's price tag in danger of rising amid interest
Tottenham will have to pay a record-breaking fee in order to sign Wharton during the summer, according to GMS sources, as Crystal Palace are threatening to increase their demands to in the region of £100million as a result of him gaining widespread interest from Premier League rivals and overseas.
Dominic Solanke became the most expensive acquisition in Spurs' history when he completed a £65million switch from Bournemouth in August, but it has become clear that the north Londoners will have to be prepared to part with significantly more than that figure in order to raid Selhurst Park for their central midfielder in the coming months.
Although GMS sources have been informed that Tottenham are among the sides keen on landing Wharton, having seen him fight back from injury to make himself one of the first names on the Crystal Palace team sheet, they are facing a fresh stumbling block due to his current employers' rising valuation.
The England international's contract situation is in danger of complicating matters for Spurs as the Eagles are not under pressure to cash in thanks to there still being four years remaining on a deal which allows him to pocket £35,000-per-week, but they have decided to continue contemplating whether to steal a march on other suitors.
Wharton's adaptation from life in the Championship with boyhood club Blackburn Rovers to featuring regularly in the Premier League has not gone unnoticed, GMS sources have learned, resulting in Tottenham being among a host of sides to have been sending scouts to track his progress.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Adam Wharton won four ground duels during Crystal Palace's win over Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend
Postecoglou Battling with Giants for Wharton
Central midfielder's admirers not restricted to Premier League
GMS sources have been told that Tottenham are facing competition from last season's Champions League winners Real Madrid in the battle to acquire Wharton's services, while Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea have also been linked with upping the ante in their respective pursuits.
The 21-year-old has been described as 'incredible' by Crystal Palace teammate Eberechi Eze and, despite being eyed by some of Europe's biggest sides in anticipation of the summer transfer window, the south Londoners have maintained that it would be a surprise if he embarks on a fresh challenge as they intend to adopt a firm stance if admirers come calling.
Tottenham will have to pay a premium in order to tempt their cross-capital rivals into cashing in on Wharton, GMS sources understand, as comparisons have been drawn with the way West Ham United handled Declan Rice's departure when Arsenal eventually got the deal over the line.
Postecoglou is also facing frustration in his attempts to secure additional firepower in the form of Rodrigo Muniz as Fulham are preparing to issue a hands-off warning after the Brazilian striker has worked his way onto the Hotspur Way radar, GMS sources understand, increasing the likelihood of having to move onto alternative targets.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 09/04/2025