In a shocking turn of events, Cole Palmer's potential transfer to Manchester United has been making headlines as the summer transfer window approaches. According to reports from British media outlet CaughtOffside, Manchester United is keen on bolstering its attacking options this summer, with Palmer emerging as a target.
Manchester United is reportedly planning to use funds generated from the sale of Alejandro Garnacho to reinforce their attack. The club is also eyeing other options, including Victor Osimhen, as they look for a player to lead their attack next season.
Cole Palmer, born in 2002, is a former youth player for Manchester City, having joined their youth system at the tender age of six. He made his professional debut under Pep Guardiola during the 2020-21 season. In the 2022-23 season, Palmer recorded 1 goal and 1 assist in 25 appearances, but his real breakout came after he transferred to Chelsea for a hefty fee of £45 million (approximately 84.5 billion won) last season.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Palmer explained his decision to leave Manchester City, stating, "I just wanted to show my abilities. Leaving City was a very difficult decision. I was ready to play football and came here after discussing with my family and the club." His move to Chelsea proved to be a successful one, as he shone brightly last season, scoring 25 goals and providing 15 assists in 45 appearances. He finished second in the league scoring charts with 22 goals and was awarded Chelsea's Player of the Year, as well as the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
However, Palmer's form has dipped recently, with his last goal coming in January 2025 against Bournemouth. Since then, he has gone 1,067 minutes without finding the back of the net, raising questions about his current performance level. As a result, there are concerns about his future with Chelsea. Manager Enzo Maresca commented on Palmer's struggles, saying, "It’s a mental issue. There’s nothing technical or tactical that has changed. The manager, style, and club remain the same."
Despite his recent struggles, Palmer's talent has not gone unnoticed, with Liverpool reportedly interested in signing him. Journalist Simon Phillips noted that Liverpool is exploring the possibility of a surprise summer transfer for Palmer, who could serve as a replacement for players like Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, and Diogo Jota.
In addition to Liverpool, there are rumors that Manchester City is keeping an eye on Palmer, with reports suggesting they have made inquiries about his availability. Jamie Carragher, in a piece for The Telegraph, expressed surprise that Palmer is not on Liverpool's radar, comparing him to Steven Gerrard and arguing that he is better suited to playing in the UEFA Champions League rather than just watching it.
As Chelsea's participation in European competitions hangs in the balance, currently sitting fifth in the Premier League with 60 points (17 wins, 9 draws, 8 losses), it is crucial for the club to address Palmer's ambitions. With Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa closely trailing them in the league standings, Chelsea's final performance this season could play a significant role in determining Palmer's future.
Palmer is regarded as a key asset for Chelsea, and despite the interest from rival clubs, the likelihood of him leaving Stamford Bridge remains low. According to CaughtOffside, Chelsea views Palmer as one of their most important players and is not willing to let him go easily. If a transfer were to materialize, it would likely come with a staggering price tag, as evidenced by Real Madrid's interest last year when Chelsea set Palmer's asking price at €200 million (approximately 325.6 billion won), which ultimately deterred the Spanish giants from pursuing him further.
As the transfer window approaches, the situation surrounding Cole Palmer continues to evolve, with Manchester United, Liverpool, and Manchester City all reportedly keen on securing his services. However, with Chelsea's ambitions and Palmer's potential continuing to develop, it remains to be seen whether he will stay at Chelsea or make a move to one of their rivals. The coming months will be critical for Palmer and Chelsea as they navigate the challenges ahead in the Premier League and beyond.
