By Pranav Shahaney

23rd May, 2023 | 8:40am

Leeds United and Newcastle want to sign Blackburn Rovers midfielder Adam Wharton

Leeds United are reportedly in a transfer battle with Newcastle and West Ham to sign Blackburn Rovers midfielder Adam Wharton.

According to Football League World [22 May], sources have confirmed that the Whites’ scouts have watched him on numerous occasions this season.

The 18-year-old is a defensive midfielder for the Ewood Park outfit and has played 18 league games this season.

Needed?

If Adam Forshaw is going to be shown to the door and if the likes of Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie will not be at the club post relegation, Wharton makes a lot of sense.

He may not be a first-team regular but will be a decent option to be a backup on the bench and can be brought on for an attacking player to protect leads.

He’s also decent playing in a more advanced role as he has even featured as a number 10 on a few occasions this season.

On the teenage prospect, Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson said earlier this season: “There’s a reason why I put him in the team and why I’m working with the boy every day to make him become better. He’s got great potential, but needs to learn more.

It’s pretty clear that Wharton is playing a Championship first-team regular level and if Leeds stay in the Premier League, he may not feature too much for the senior side.

Right now, Leeds certainly will not be thinking about any of that as their priority will be to stay up and win their last league game of the season.

In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay claims that an international player at Elland Road has no place at the club next season and a summer transfer is on the cards.