The rumor mill will never stop churning on who/when/why/how Manchester United’s next big signing will be, but the indications recently have pointed toward a certain Mancunian in Blue who has made a name
for himself down south in the capital.
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, a Wythenshawe native and boyhood United supporter, has had a hard time this season as the Blues have undergone a change in management. Enzo Maresca’s departure and the arrival of Liam Rosenoir mirrors United’s season a bit, as does the club’s league position just one point behind the Reds in fifth at present.
Palmer has five goals in 14 appearances in all competitions this season, and hasn’t quite lived up to the billing of his debut campaign at Chelsea that saw him score 22 league goals. Rumors of his desire for a fresh start began circulating this month, and a natural suitor named in the backpages was United.
Longtime beat writer Samuel Luckhurst went so far as to report for The S*n that Palmer was open to a return up north for the Red half of Manchester, but not for City, where he made his Premier League debut and learned his trade in the academy.
Rosenoir recently dismissed such rumors, stating, “There’s no reason for assurance,” concerning rumors linking Palmer to a move away.
“It’s so unrealistic. It’s come from nowhere. There’s nothing in it,” he said in a press conference ahead of Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League tie this week. “There’s no reason to have the conversation. That’s where I’m at. Cole is very happy. I’ve had numerous conversations with him. Our thoughts are on how we can make this team better, how he can improve and how I can help him. He loves being here and he wants to be a Chelsea player. You can’t stop speculation, but some speculation is so far from the truth. There’s no point in having a discussion about it.”
The “unrealistic” comment is certainly applicable to this transfer saga, if it can even be called that at this moment. Palmer signed a nine-year contract with the Blues worth more than £45 million, making any potential transfer complicated as the club has no release clause included and no reason to negotiate below whatever valuation they see fit.
Some rumors linking Palmer to the Reds value him between £100-150m, which would be a sizeable profit on the £40m fee paid to Manchester City for his services in 2023.
If Palmer wants out, United will have to pay, and they’re a bit tied up at the moment.
The Reds spent £225 million on new signigns in the summer, acquiring three new forwards to bolster the attack. The club’s reported focus next is on key midfield signings in the summer, and though Palmer is a versatile attacker, he doesn’t fit the role of midfielder United need. A proper no. 6, a defensive midfielder who can go box to box, is the sort of profile they need at the moment.
Should the Reds move on from Bruno Fernandes in the summer with an offer from Saudi Arabia, then Palmer would be more of a fit for a pressing squad need, but the finances of such a move would make it a difficult negotiation process.
If Palmer becomes available and Chelsea are open to a move, even for a hefty price, he is the sort of player United will want in their attack. He could fill multiple roles, whether or not Bruno Fernandes is still in the team, and he offers goals from across the front line. Until that situation arises though, United have more pressing financial and squad needs than pushing for a move for a player who is apparently not as unsettled as was let on.
