Cole Palmer: Man United transfer raid ramps up after latest twist | OneFootball

Manchester United’s chances of a blockbuster raid for Cole Palmer have ramped up as the Chelsea star would be “open” to a switch to Old Trafford, according to an explosive new report.

Bombshell Signing

The Sun reveals the 23-year-old attacker is “unsettled” in west London and pines for a return to the north west of England, having arrived at Stamford Bridge from Manchester City in 2023.

“City sold Palmer to Chelsea for £42.5million in September 2023 and he signed an improved contract until 2033 last season. But Palmer misses his hometown of Wythenshawe and frequently returns to see family and friends,” the report details.

Sources close to the England international state he would “not entertain a return” to the Etihad where Pep Guardiola is still at the helm. However, in a move which would send shockwaves across the Premier League, Palmer would “welcome any interest” from the Red Devils, the club he supported as a child. 

Interestingly, Jason Wilcox was the academy head at City when Palmer was coming through the ranks on the blue half of Manchester. And United’s director of football had previously commented that he believed one of the Citizens’ academy graduates “could go on and win the Ballon d’Or,” The Sun reveals, though he did not specify which starlet.

A Replacement for Fernandes?

There is little logic in Palmer as a target – a left-footed attacker who plays as a No 10 or a right-winger – with the existing options in United’s squad. If anything, there is a growing queue for the right side, with Amad and Bryan Mbeumo both angling for that spot while Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha provide excellent cover in the middle for Bruno Fernandes, the club captain and most influential player.

However, the swirling uncertainty around the Portugal international’s future at Old Trafford offers an explanation for Palmer coming under INEOS’s consideration.

Fernandes has one year remaining on his deal come the summer, while the contract contains a £57m release clause for clubs outside of England. He continues to be linked with an exorbitant move to Saudi Arabia, though his preference is to play for an elite European side next season, be it in a red shirt or a new one.

There are few, if any, players in world football who could offer the same level of creativity as Fernandes has for the Red Devils over the past few seasons – but Palmer comes close.

It would require a series of unlikely events for the Chelsea talisman to end up in place of United’s, but crazier things have happened in football, and if an eye-watering offer arrives to lure Fernandes to the Middle East, INEOS will need a blockbuster signing to arrive in his place.

Enter ‘Cold’ Palmer to take over ‘Cold’ Trafford.

A report relayed by The Peoples Person even claims United would be willing to offer a cool £120m to convince their bitter Premier League rival to accept the switch.

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The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social