Declan Rice says £22m player Tottenham want to sign is truly ‘top level’

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Tottenham Hotspur are likely to be busy in the transfer market this summer, both in terms of incomings and outgoings.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has laid some solid foundations in his maiden season at the club and he’ll be eager to build on them.

Midfield is an area Tottenham could look to strengthen, and several top players in that position have been linked with a move to N17.

One of those is Adam Wharton, who has only been at Crystal Palace for six months but has very much taken the Premier League by storm.

TBR Football revealed in May that Tottenham are continuing to monitor the 20-year-old’s progress after his £22million move to Selhurst Park.

Wharton has been so impressive since joining Palace that he has earned himself a call-up to the England squad for Euro 2024.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice couldn’t sing the reported Spurs target’s praises highly enough at the post-selection press conference.

“He’s top level,” said Rice, as per BBC Sport. “He sees a pass early, left and right foot.

“It’s impressive the way he passes a ball. Whether it’s five or 10 yards, there’s just a crispness to it. Really impressive. Calm, composed, relaxed.

“But he’s 20 years old, it’s his first tournament. It’s so important we don’t put too much pressure on him.

“Let him flourish and England are going to have an amazing midfielder for the next 10 to 15 years.

“The future’s looking bright for England in midfield.”

Tottenham will find it difficult to sign Adam Wharton this summer

Wharton has been a revelation for Palace since joining in January. It’s not every day you get a player who gets in the England squad for a major tournament after just a few months in the Premier League.

It’s not surprising to see links with the likes of Tottenham and Liverpool, but Palace will probably not entertain any offers for Wharton this summer.

Wharton’s contract at Palace runs until 2029, and the Eagles will be thinking not only of their own success over the coming years, but also about how much more Wharton could be worth if he stays put and continues on the same trajectory.