Man Utd to beat Real Madrid to English midfielder?

Manchester United are confident of landing the signature of Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton ahead of Real Madrid.

The Red Devils are expected to bolster their midfield department next summer and have identified Wharton as the priority target.

Madrid are likewise keen on landing the Blackburn Rovers graduate, but they have been told that the player prefers to continue in England.

Wharton also favours a return to the North-West in the summer, and United are in pole position to land his services at the current point in time.

Palace are expected to demand at least £70 million for the highly-rated midfielder, who could be a direct replacement for Casemiro at United.

Casemiro's contract expires at the end of June, and United have no plans of triggering a 12-month extension on his £350,000 per week deal.

Unless he accepts a significant pay-cut, he is expected to leave on a free transfer. He could secure a big payday in Saudi over the summer.