Pierre Sage wasted no time drawing a line under the summer's biggest story at Selhurst Park. Crystal Palace's new manager confirmed this week that Adam Wharton will not be leaving for Real Madrid before the transfer window closes, telling reporters bluntly that the club needs its midfielder more than it needs the fee.
"I think right now is not the time to do that," Sage said, according to ONE. "We need him." It was as direct a denial as Palace have offered all summer, closing off, for now at least, one of the more persistent transfer sagas in the Premier League.
Real Madrid have been credited with long-standing admiration for the 22-year-old, whose value ONE reports has climbed past £80 million (roughly €93m) after a breakout campaign in which he made 34 league appearances and was named MVP of the Conference League final as Palace won the first major European trophy in the club's history.
Real Madrid are not the only suitors to have come calling. Manchester City and Liverpool have also made contact over Wharton this summer, according to ONE, and both received the same answer Sage gave publicly: the England international is not for sale.
That stance was echoed independently on Friday, when reports emerged that Palace had formally rejected an approach from Manchester City for the player, reinforcing the club's public line that Wharton remains central to its plans under its new head coach.
Sage, the former Lyon and Lens boss who took over at Selhurst Park in June after Oliver Glasner departed following the club's FA Cup and Conference League triumphs, is only just settling into the job. Losing his most influential midfielder before a ball had properly been kicked in the new season was never going to be part of the plan.
The manager framed the decision as one of timing and development rather than a permanent door being shut on a move to Spain. Wharton, Sage suggested, still has more growing to do before a step up to a club of Real Madrid's stature would make sense — for player and club alike.
Palace have not been passive in the market regardless. The club has brought in six new signings this window, including Yeremy Pino's compatriot-style addition Annan Khalili, and Sage indicated one or two more deals could follow before deadline day, though he stressed the club would not rush into anything.
For Wharton, the message is clear: another season anchoring Palace's midfield, with Real Madrid's interest parked rather than pursued. Whether that patience holds beyond this window remains the open question hanging over Selhurst Park.
