Man Utd want to sign £60m star before Real Madrid

Manchester United are keen on landing the signature of Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton ahead of Real Madrid, according to Spanish website Fichajes.

The Red Devils are expected to sign a defensive midfielder in either January or next summer and they are weighing up their options.

Brighton & Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba was initially the preferred choice for the Mancunian giants, but a transfer did not materialise.

Baleba's form has drastically dipped during the ongoing season, and reports claim that United may not return for his services.

Instead, they are lining up an approach for Wharton, who has turned heads in the Premier League with his displays for the Eagles.

The south London outfit have no plans of parting ways with the midfielder, but reports claim that United are ready to test their resolve.

The Red Devils believe they can prise him away for £60m and could make a winter move to win the transfer race ahead of Madrid.

Madrid are also monitoring the highly-rated midfielder, but don't plan to make an approach until the end of the ongoing campaign.