Crystal Palace agree £18m deal for Newcastle-linked midfielder - BBC Sport

Over the past few months, a host of North East journalists have reported on our interest in highly-rated midfielder Adam Wharton.

The Mail's Craig Hope revealed that Dan Ashworth and senior scout Mick Tait travelled to watch him on several occasions last year, while the i's Mark Douglas suggested that a January move was one to watch after 'serious interest' from Newcastle.

A few months on, the 19-year-old looks set for a big-money move to the Premier League, with BBC Sport now confirming that Crystal Palace have agreed an £18m deal (which could rise to £22m with add-ons) for the teenager.

Newcastle's FFP issues may have stopped us from pursuing the England U20 star this month - a frustrating theme that has scuppered our January plans - but his move away from Ewood Park could be good news for our FA Cup hopes.

Blackburn beat Wrexham 4-1 last night to set up a fifth round tie with Eddie Howe's Mags, but they'll be without their star man next month ahead of his imminent move to Selhurst Park. We'd expect to beat the Championship strugglers with or without Wharton, but it's undoubtedly a major blow for Rovers and a small consolation for Newcastle ahead of our meeting in the last 16.

https://twitter.com/BBCSport/status/1752311404357427678