Chelsea make enquiry over Manchester City midfielder in potential Cole Palmer transfer repeat | OneFootball

Manchester City have received another enquiry from Chelsea over a potential deal for Nico O’Reilly, following transfer interest in the January market earlier this year.

Chelsea are once again circling a top City Academy graduate, having completed the high-profile and ultimately hugely successful signing of Cole Palmer from the Etihad Stadium in the summer market of 2023.

Nico O’Reilly has emerged as one of the most exciting prospects from Manchester City’s talent pipeline in recent years, having already made his competitive senior debut for the club and become a regular in Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad from the left-back role last campaign.

The Englishman followed up his heavy involvement in the defensive line for Manchester City during the second-half of last season with involvement at the recent FIFA Club World Cup, but is likely to be displaced by the more natural left-back profile of Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Renewed interest from Chelsea follows a similar pattern to their capture of Palmer — a player who had also enjoyed breakthrough moments at the Etihad Stadium before deciding on a switch to West London in search of more consistent minutes.

The now England superstar went on to become a standout performer in his debut campaign under Mauricio Pochettino, perhaps boosting Chelsea’s confidence in making further moves for Manchester City’s emerging talents.

Offering an update on Chelsea’s transfer activity via his Substack, journalist Simon Phillips has reported on Tuesday that Stamford Bridge officials made another ‘enquiry’ this week regarding Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly.

Given the stacked ranks at the disposal of head coach Enzo Maresca, it is made clear that it remains unknown what position the West London club would play the versatile English youngster if he joined this summer.

For City, the retention and development of O’Reilly is part of a broader plan to refresh the squad amid several high-profile departures. With James McAtee reportedly set for an exit and Kalvin Phillips nearing a permanent move, the club’s midfield resources are in transition.

If O’Reilly were to follow a similar path to Cole Palmer, it would no doubt validate Chelsea’s faith in Manchester City’s Academy system – but it would also underline the latter’s ability to produce ready-made talents for top-level clubs.

As City prepare to open pre‑season in late July, including a friendly against Palermo in early August, the final decision on O’Reilly’s future may hinge on the assurances the club can provide about his pathway in the senior squad.

Should Chelsea – or any other club – present a clear plan for his development and playing time, City may find themselves weighing the benefits of a sale against the potential of integrating him into Pep Guardiola’s evolving midfield structure.