Cole Palmer, the Chelsea attacking midfielder and England international, is reportedly open to a transfer to Manchester United, his boyhood club. This comes amid claims that the 23-year-old is unsettled in London and misses his hometown of Wythenshawe.
Palmer, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City in September 2023 for a fee of £40 million, has a contract with the Blues that runs until 2033. Despite signing this 9 year contract extension in 2024, reports suggest he would welcome interest from Manchester United.
Palmer developed through Manchester City's academy, joining the club at under-8 level in 2010. He captained City's Under-18s in the 2019/20 season and made his senior debut in 2020. Despite his history with City, Palmer would reportedly not consider a return to the club while Pep Guardiola remains in charge.
During his first season at Chelsea, Palmer had a strong performance, scoring 27 goals and providing 15 assists across all competitions. He was awarded both the Premier League Young Player of the Season and the PFA Fans' Player of the Year. In 2025, he contributed to Chelsea's UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup victories, earning man of the match in both finals and the Golden Ball at the Club World Cup.
Manchester United's director of football, Jason Wilcox, is reportedly a huge admirer of Palmer, having overseen his development during his time at Manchester City's academy. Wilcox's presence at United could be a significant factor if the club decides to pursue Palmer.
However, Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior stated that Palmer is "very, very happy" at Chelsea and that he is a key part of the club's long-term plans. According to The Telegraph, Chelsea considers Palmer as "untouchable" and has no intention of selling him.
Despite these assurances, speculation persists, fueled by reports that Palmer is homesick and misses his family and friends in Wythenshawe. Some reports also suggest that Palmer has been unhappy with Chelsea's decision to sack Enzo Maresca.
It is important to note that while reports suggest Palmer is open to a move to Manchester United, Chelsea appear unwilling to sell. Moreover, Palmer's long-term contract with Chelsea, which runs until 2033, would make any potential transfer a complex and expensive undertaking.
