Liverpool pivots to Adam Wharton and Maxence Lacroix as summer transfer targets

Liverpool FC have shifted their transfer strategy, naming 22‑year‑old midfielder Adam Wharton as their top summer target after turning down a move for Brazilian forward João Gomes. The club, having already secured Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes, are also in contact with Crystal Palace about centre‑back Maxence Lacroix, a 26‑year‑old French international whose contract runs for three more years. Lacroix is seen as a potential replacement for Ibrahima Konaté, who left for Real Madrid, and would bolster a defence that currently relies on Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Jacquet and young prospects. Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes is expected to negotiate over a £55‑plus million fee for Lacroix, while Palace have attracted interest from other Premier League clubs such as Chelsea. Both transfer moves are part of manager Andoni Iraola’s squad overhaul ahead of his first season in charge.