Chelsea are considering a January move for Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton as the Blues look to bolster in the middle of the park in the New Year, reports TEAMtalk.

Chelsea were linked with a move with Wharton last January and while they were initially the frontrunners to sign the midfielder from Blackburn Rovers, Palace eventually won the race to land the youngster owing to the promise of regular Premier League football.

In the two years since his move to Selhurst Park, Wharton has established himself as one of the finest progressive midfielders in Europe.

His form for Palace has caught the eye of a number of Europe’s elite sides, with Real Madrid and Manchester City previously credited with an interest in the 21-year-old.

Chelsea would face competition from Man Utd for Wharton

Manchester United are also believed to be eyeing up a move for Wharton as the Premier League powerhouse assess their midfield options ahead of the January window.

United sought to strengthen in the middle of the park over the summer but failed to agree a fee with Brighton for the signing of Carlos Baleba.

The Cameroon international remains a target for United, while Wharton also features on the club’s wishlist.

However, they’d face competition from Chelsea should Palace entertain the idea of selling Wharton at the turn of the year.

It would take a hefty fee to convince the Eagles to sell one of their prized assets halfway through the season.

Blues looking to bolster amid injury crisis

Chelsea, though, are keen to strengthening in a key area as they compete on multiple fronts.

The Blues have injury issues in the middle of the park after Romeo Lavia sustained a quad problem in last week’s 2-2 draw with Qarabag.

The Belgian, who has been plagued by muscular injuries since joining from Southampton in 2023, was forced off after just eight minutes in the Champions League stalemate in Azerbaijan.

Enzo Fernandez, meanwhile, recently revealed he has been struggling with a knee problem for months, with Chelsea tipped to dip into the market to add bodies in the midfield.

United outcast also a target for Chelsea

Wharton, though, isn’t the only central midfield target for the Blues, who have been credited with an interest in United outcast Kobbie Mainoo.

Mainoo has found playing time hard to come by under Ruben Amorim this season and is fourth choice in the pecking order behind Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte at Old Trafford.

The 20-year-old, who was linked with a move to Stamford Bridge earlier in the year, saw a request to leave United over the summer rejected as the Manchester side failed to add a new midfielder.

The England international is hoping for regular game time in the New Year as he looks to force his way back into Thomas Tuchel’s thinking ahead of the 2026 World Cup.