Cameron Smith
Enzo Maresca, Man City
© IMAGO
Enzo Maresca has identified England superstar Cole Palmer as a priority transfer target if he is appointed as the next Manchester City boss, according to a sensational report.
The Italian left his role as Chelsea head coach on 1 January following a feud with the Blues hierarchy" href="https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2026/01/why-did-enzo-maresca-leave-chelsea-managers-exit-explained" target="_blank">The Italian left his role as Chelsea head coach on 1 January following a feud with the Blues hierarchy and he has been heavily tipped to rejoin Man City this summer.
Maresca enjoyed two spells at Man City before eventually being appointed by Chelsea in 2024, with the 45-year-old first managing the club’s U21 side, before becoming Pep Guardiola’s assistant during the 2022-23 campaign following a poor stint as Parma head coach.
The former Sevilla midfielder enjoyed a hugely successful debut season at Stamford Bridge, guiding the west London outfit to Club World Cup and Europa Conference League glory, in addition to qualifying for the Champions League. However, he soon clashed with the Chelsea board on several topics and he left the club by mutual consent on New Year’s Day.
Maresca reportedly held talks with both Man City and Juventus during his time at Chelsea, with the former eager to appoint him as their new manager if the aforementioned Guardiola decides to leave the club this summer" href="https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2025/12/chelsea-news-man-city-enzo-maresca-pep-guardiola-david-ornstein" target="_blank">with the former eager to appoint him as their new manager if the aforementioned Guardiola decides to leave the club this summer.
The Spaniard still has 18 months remaining on his current contract at the Etihad Stadium, but he has been tipped to depart following the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign and Maresca has been lined up as a potential successor.
Enzo Maresca has been tipped to join Man City this summer
© IMAGO - Enzo Maresca has been tipped to join Man City this summer
Cole Palmer to Man City?
If Maresca is appointed as the next Man City head coach this summer, he will aim to be reunited with Palmer, as per a bombshell report from Fichajes" href="https://www.fichajes.net/noticias/enzo-maresca-elegido-estrella-quiere-manchester-city-20260109.html" target="_blank">Fichajes.
The pair worked together in Man City’s U21 side, while they spent 18 months together at Chelsea before Maresca’s departure earlier this month.
Rumours have hinted that Palmer was dissatisfied with his tactical role under Maresca at Stamford Bridge" href="https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2025/12/chelsea-news-enzo-maresca-oliver-glasner-cole-palmer" target="_blank">Rumours have hinted that Palmer was dissatisfied with his tactical role under Maresca at Stamford Bridge, but Fichajes claim that the Englishman has been identified as a top transfer target by the ex-Chelsea boss if he returns to the Etihad Stadium.
Palmer still has seven-and-a-half years remaining on his current deal in west London and considering his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at €99.7 million, Man City would be required to pay a significant fee to bring him back to the club.
But, he has been linked with a sensational return to the eight-time Premier League champions on a number of occasions since his exit in 2023, and Maresca is reportedly keen to mastermind a transfer if he is appointed as the next Man City boss later this year.
However, while Maresca has been tipped to replace Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium, The Transfers Podcast understands that Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso could be appointed instead" href="https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2026/01/exclusive-xabi-alonso-targeted-as-man-city-pep-guardiola-replacement" target="_blank">The Transfers Podcast understands that Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso could be appointed instead, with Man City interested in bringing him back to England.
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