Liverpool: What would Adam Wharton signing mean for Ryan Gravenberch and Arne Slot's Premier League-winning midfield?

Premier League champions Liverpool have struggled in 2025-26, but they look set for another busy window in the transfer market as they aim to bounce back and complete the squad overhaul they started last summer.

Arne Slot's Reds parted ways with an unprecedented £446.5m to build on their title win, shattering the British transfer record twice when they shelled out on deals worth up to £116m and £125m for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak respectively.

However, the Merseysiders' outlay was offset in part by recouping £216m from player sales, a figure that brought the club's net spend down to a more 'reasonable' £230.5m, though the likes of Luis Diaz were not replaced, while deficiencies in midfield and defence were not adequately addressed.

In 2026, Michael Edwards (Fenway Sports Group's CEO of Football) will be working alongside Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes to fill the gaps, and reports suggest that they are doing their due diligence regarding a potential move for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at what would happen to Liverpool's midfield if they sign Wharton, as well as the potential implications for Ryan Gravenberch in particular.

Why do Liverpool want to sign Adam Wharton?

Since Fabinho's departure in the summer of 2023, Liverpool have been without a natural defensive midfielder in the squad, though a number of players have been trialled in the position across the last three seasons.

Jurgen Klopp initially deployed Alexis Mac Allister in the number six role, before integrating Japan captain Wataru Endo into his XI towards latter half of the 2023-24 campaign.

In 2024-25, Slot sought to bring Martin Zubimendi to Anfield in order to take the role on a long-term basis, but he opted to stay at Real Sociedad, and Gravenberch was subsequently tasked with being Liverpool's deepest midfielder.

However, while the former Ajax and Bayern Munich star was named the Premier League's Young Player of the Season last term on the way to lifting the title, he continues to feature in a position that is not best suited to his attributes.

The Reds had targeted Zubimendi as they were looking for a metronomic passer to operate in the number six role and progress the ball from defence to attack, and while Gravenberch is capable of safely receiving possession from the backline, he struggles to make key passes in midfield.

With that in mind, the reasons behind the potential pursuit of Wharton are clear - the Palace talisman is one of the best progressive passers in the Premier League, alongside Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, who has been linked to Manchester City and Manchester United.

Who could leave if Adam Wharton joins Arne Slot's Liverpool?

Speaking during his press conference before Sunday's Merseyside derby, Slot stated that Liverpool will be active in the summer transfer market, and expect a number of players to exit in order to fuel the club's spending.

Focusing on the midfield, academy graduate Curtis Jones has repeatedly been linked with a potential move to Inter Milan, Tottenham Hotspur or more recently Aston Villa, all of whom look set to battle it out for his signature in the summer.

Given that the Englishman has failed to establish himself as a starter under Slot - and will soon enter the final 12 months of his Reds contract - Liverpool are likely to sanction a sale in the upcoming window, which represents the last chance for the club to secure a respectable fee for the 25-year-old.

Additionally, reports have emerged that hint at uncertainty surrounding Mac Allister's future at Anfield, and considering that the World Cup winner has not been at his best in 2025-26, Hughes may look to cash in on the number 10.

What could Liverpool's midfield look like next season with Adam Wharton?

Reports indicate that Palace hope to receive at least £70m for Wharton in the event that he leaves Selhurst Park, and an outlay of that size would surely see the 22-year-old become a guaranteed starter wherever he lands in 2026-27.

A transfer to Liverpool would alleviate Gravenberch from the duties associated with being the Reds' nominal defensive midfielder, and could see him moved into a more familiar number eight role going forward.

Filling out next season's prospective midfield trio alongside Wharton and Gravenberch would be Dominik Szoboszlai, who has grown into an undroppable player for the Merseysiders this term due to his unparalleled running power, as well as a number of standout performances during a troubled campaign for the team.

However, such a setup would leave Liverpool without a notable duel-winner - not to mention a lack of physicality - in the middle third, a problem that has often plagued Slot's side, who have frequently been outmatched by their opponents in that regard.

To address that imbalance, as well as offset the sales of both Jones and Mac Allister, the Reds look likely to make a second midfield signing, focusing on securing a more robust presence in the centre of the park.

In such a scenario, Gravenberch's newly-inked six-year £280,000 per-week contract could become something of an albatross for Liverpool, given that an additional arrival would not displace either Wharton or Szoboszlai, and may eventually force the number 38 out of the starting XI on a near nine-figure deal.