Premier League club have massive £18.5million bid for in-demand Adam Wharton REJECTED by Blackburn

CRYSTAL PALACE have seen an £18.5million bid rejected by Blackburn for Adam Wharton.

The Eagles are keen to bring in the 19-year-old midfielder with Cheick Doucoure ruled out until the end of the season through injury.

Rex

Crystal Palace’s offer for Adam Wharton has been rejected[/caption]

But the Championship side are thought to want to see Wharton remain at Ewood Park until the end of the season as part of any deal – something Palace cannot afford to do at this stage.

Roy Hodgson‘s side are in need of additions this month, having won just one of their last 12 games.

And pressure ramping up on the former manager ahead of the visit of Sheffield United next week.

Palace are now weighing up whether to return with an improved offer for Wharton.

Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson said: “There’s been an offer and the club has said no, which I like.

“He’s a great lad, I remember last year sitting at home with his parents drinking tea to discuss his development.

“Now he’s a first-team player and I believe he’ll be an England player.”

Wharton has played 29 matches this season and has been capped for the Three Lions Under-20s side.

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Palace are also keen to sign a right-back and a striker this month with Hodgson having said that chairman Steve Parish and sporting director Dougie Freedman are working hard to add players this month.

Eagles fans protested against Parish’s “weak decisions” taking the club backwards during their 5-0 defeat to Arsenal at the weekend.