Thomas Frank Urges Levy to Prioritize Adam Wharton Signing

Thomas Frank Urges Levy to Prioritize Adam Wharton Signing

July 2025 — Tottenham Hotspur’s new head coach Thomas Frank has reportedly identified Adam Wharton, the promising 21‑year‑old Crystal Palace midfielder, as a top transfer target—and has directly urged chairman Daniel Levy to secure his services this summer.

Frank, who took charge at Spurs following Ange Postecoglou’s departure, is building a midfield that combines technical ability, work rate, and control. Wharton, a recent England international, embodies exactly that profile. According to Give Me Sport, Frank has asked the Tottenham board to “close the deal” for Wharton, signaling that he is the top priority in midfield recruitment

Why Wharton Is a Perfect Fit

Wharton, a product of Blackburn Rovers’ academy, has cemented himself at Crystal Palace since his £18 million move in February 2024. He played a key role in their 2025 FA Cup triumph and won his first senior England cap in June 2024 . His calm, composed play, tactical intelligence, and passing range have drawn admiration from pundits like Frank Lampard, who called him “outstanding”

TEAMtalk and The Playoffs emphasise that Wharton’s vision and ability to ‘dictate tempo’ from deep make him an ideal midfielder for Frank’s structured, risk-taking approach). A piece from Attacking Football describes him as a “lower-risk, high-upside gamble,” ideal for Spurs’ long-term midfield rebuild

The Financial Challenge

Wharton is contract-bound to Palace until 2029, and it’s widely understood that Crystal Palace will demand over £80 million—possibly nearing or exceeding £100 million—for their prized asset ). Tottenham’s board reportedly has a transfer war‑chest of around £175 million, but remain cautious, especially for big-money deals

Spurs face fierce competition: rivals like Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona—and even Chelsea—are monitoring Wharton. Despite this, Frank & co. appear confident they can make a compelling case, trusting his vision and the prospect of Champions League football

Levy’s Ambitions and Pressure

Chairman Daniel Levy has publicly asserted Spurs’ intent to win both the Premier League and Champions League. With those lofty goals in mind, voices like Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham believe signing a world‑class holding midfielder such as Wharton is crucial—a statement of real intent, not just ambition

Frank’s message is clear: midfield reinforcements are paramount. With core players like Yves Bissouma potentially leaving, Wharton could provide the perfect blend of defensive solidity, ball progression, and fresh legs for Frank’s energetic system

Outlook

It all comes down to Levy’s willingness to back Frank—and put Wharton at the centre of Spurs’ next era. If they act decisively, Wharton could become the midfield anchor that helps propel Tottenham into serious contention on both domestic and European fronts. Failure to do so, however, may leave Spurs watching their rivals snap up a generational talent.

With Frank’s strong public endorsement, Levy now faces a pivotal decision—recognize the clear fit and make the bold investment, or risk falling behind in the midfield arms race.