Crystal Palace are reportedly considering a January move for a prolific young midfielder after his standout 2025 season.
Palace explore move for emerging talent
The club’s recent track record of developing young players has been impressive, with Adam Wharton the latest to shine. The England youngster set up Eddie Nketiah’s opener in the 2-1 win over Fulham, a result that lifted Oliver Glasner’s side into fourth place.
But Palace’s progress has come with constant pressure from bigger clubs. Eberechi Eze left for Arsenal in the summer, while Marc Guehi continues to attract attention from Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid. Wharton himself is drawing interest from Manchester United and Liverpool, prompting Palace to assess long-term midfield options.
According to Football Insider, Palace are now eyeing UCD midfielder Adam Brennan and are weighing up a January bid. Brennan has enjoyed an excellent 2025 campaign in the League of Ireland First Division, producing 13 goal contributions — nine goals and four assists in 28 matches — which has alerted several English clubs.
Hull City recently brought the 18-year-old in on trial, and they now face competition from Birmingham City, Wrexham and Palace.
A talent for the future
Brennan’s numbers are impressive for a teenager playing senior football, even if it has come outside a top-flight league. His output suggests he has the potential to develop into a high-level midfielder, though he is unlikely to be Premier League-ready immediately.
For Palace, the priority remains keeping Wharton for as long as possible. The midfielder is tied down until 2029, giving the club a strong hand in any negotiations should major interest intensify. Retaining their best players could also help Palace cement their push for Europe; the club currently sit inside the Champions League places.
With Glasner’s contract expiring in the summer and other clubs previously monitoring him, stability within the squad could be crucial to keeping the manager. Even so, Brennan appears to be a smart investment for the future — a signing who could develop into a long-term asset for Palace.