Man Utd eye €85m Golden Boy wonderkid as alternative to top transfer target Adam Wharton

 Manchester United have outlined a potential alternative to Adam Wharton in their bid to sign a midfielder this winter, with Crystal Palace unlikely to consider a mid-season sale of their star man.

United are keen to make up for a summer where they spent more than €250 million on players yet failed to address their midfield, which has proven to be a problem during their slow start to the season.

Wharton is believed to be among United’s top targets alongside the likes of Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba but the cost of domestic-based players may prove unrealistic, particularly mid-season.

Palace may hold out to see if Wharton’s reputation and pricetag grows after next summer’s World Cup, which has led United to turn their attention to the European market, and fichajes claim that Porto’s Victor Froholdt has become the club’s latest target.

The 19-year-old only joined Porto for €20 million this summer from Copenhagen but he has become a revelation in Portugal in his short time at the club, which has seen him named on the shortlist for the European Golden Boy award.

However, Porto are said to be unwilling to consider Froholdt’s departure mid-season and so soon after his arrival but the presence of a €85m release clause in his contract could prove tempting if Palace opt to retain Wharton until the summer.

United hoping to beat rivals to Danish wonderkid

United have struggled to find balance in their two-man midfield with Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, leading to the club pushing for a new option whom they can bring in during the winter.

However, Palace may demand more than €80m for Wharton, while Brighton quoted United more than €100m for Baleba during the summer, with Anderson also likely to command a similar fee.

Froholdt is also said to be tracked by Tottenham and Arsenal, prompting United to consider quickly swooping in ahead of their rivals for a player whose value could quickly grow if he continues to progress.

United reportedly believe Froholdt could adapt quickly to Premier League football given his Nordic football background and rapid adjustment to the Portuguese league, with the player described as ‘open’ to the move if he is guaranteed continuity as a starter.