£40m midfielder wants to join Man Utd, 23yo is "primed to leave" his club
Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer would be open to joining Manchester United during the summer transfer window, according to The Sun.
The England international has struggled in his third season with the Blues due to nagging injuries, and he has still made 13 goal contributions.
Palmer has already been linked with the Red Devils on one occasion, and The Sun report that he is increasingly disillusioned with life at Chelsea.
The midfielder is ‘primed to leave’ at the end of the season, and the Red Devils are said to be interested in landing the Manchester City graduate.
Palmer would likewise be open to joining United.
The 23-year-old was signed for £40 million by the Blues in 2023, and it is claimed that it could take a staggering £150 million to prise him away.
Man Utd unlikely to pursue deal for Palmer
Palmer was dealing with nagging groin injuries during the first half of the season, but he has been a regular starter for the Blues since the New Year.
Still, his performances have not been up to expectations. The attacking midfielder has suffered a dip that has coincided with the Blues’ average run of results.
Chelsea are currently sixth in the Premier League standings and face the genuine possibility of missing out on Champions League football next season.
This could lead to the departures of some high-profile stars. Enzo Fernandez could be on his way out, and it appears Palmer could be prepared to push through an exit too.
Palmer, being a boyhood United fan, favours a potential move to Old Trafford, but the Red Devils may not have the funds to purchase him due to other priorities this summer.
United are expected to focus on strengthening their holding midfield department.
Casemiro has confirmed he will depart when his contract expires on June 30. His departure will leave a huge void to fill. Manuel Ugarte could likewise be offloaded, having failed to impress.
Hence, there is a possibility that United could spend a big part of the budget, potentially £150 million, on the purchase of two marquee midfielders during the off-season.
The club are also actively searching for a left-back to compete with Luke Shaw. Patrick Dorgu has looked comfortable as a winger and could play in a similar role in future.
Hence, a move for Palmer seems unlikely. United may not contemplate signing him. They already have the best attacking midfielder in the league in captain Bruno Fernandes.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com
Article written by Sri Aswin .