‘The crowd just gasped’ – Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton was so good Barcelona tried to sign him aged EIGHT
ADAM WHARTON has enjoyed a monumental rise since signing for Crystal Palace.
The midfielder signed for the Eagles in January 2024 in a £22million transfer from Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers.
Wharton, 21, is now prepping for the biggest game of his club career so far.
He and Palace will take on Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
It won’t be his first final as he was in the England squad for the Euro 2024 final against Spain.
And had things turned out differently, England’s opponents that day might have been far more familiar with the youngster.
During an appearance at a youth tournament, he was scouted by Barcelona coaches and offered a spot at their famous La Masia academy.
Daniel Stubberfield, who coached Wharton for five years in his younger years, revealed that the midfielder could have had a very different career path.
He told the Mail: “There was a trip to Holland where he was player of the tournament at Oldenzaal.
“He scored a half-volley in a seven-v-seven game but it felt like it was a long way out, arrowed as an adult would hit it, rocketed straight in.
“He was outstanding against Barcelona when he was eight.
“To the point where the Barca coaches actually said to his parents: ‘Look, if you ever come to Spain, call us, we’d love him’.”
Wharton came up against the like of Jobe Bellingham in his academy days.
The two were pictured duelling for the ball in a youth game between Blackburn and Birmingham City.
Wharton has since earned one cap for England as he played 28 minutes at St James’ Park against Bosnia last year.
He played a crucial role for Oliver Glasner’s side as they beat Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-final in April at Wembley Stadium.
However, that was not his first time playing at the home of football.
When he was ten years old, he featured in a school’s cup final at the 90,000-seater stadium.
Wharton represented Salesbury CoE Primary School in the National Primary Schools Final in 2015.
Video showed his impressive skills that included a Maradona-spin, which left the crowd gasping.
His former teacher, Stephen Bird, said: “There are around 10,000 people in the ground at that stage. The crowd just gasped.
“They purred a bit when the replay came on the big screens.”
Last month, SunSport exclusively revealed that Wharton was a £50m target for Liverpool.
The Anfield transfer team believe that the midfielder’s passing ability could help the Reds tick.
But before the transfer rumour mill goes into overdrive, Wharton will be looking to guide Crystal Palace to FA Cup glory this weekend.