Cole Palmer is reportedly feeling homesick living in London
Cole Palmer is reportedly feeling homesick living in London (Image: Getty)
Manchester United are being tentatively linked with a sensational move for Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer. The playmaker is reportedly feeling homesick in London, having spent the vast majority of his life in northern England. Despite coming through the youth system at Manchester City, he was a United fan as a boy and would be a huge signing for the Red Devils.
That said, the prospect of Chelsea selling Palmer to United seems wildly unlikely. He is arguably their best player and the Blues would almost certainly laugh off any proposal worth less than £100million as an absolute minimum. United, however, could attempt to test Chelsea's resolve by including a player in a blockbuster part-exchange deal.
Express Sport looks at four United stars who would fit the bill...
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Bruno Fernandes
On face value, it would be foolish for United to voluntarily get rid of their captain given his importance over the last six years. However, his future at Old Trafford is far from secure and rumours of a potential exit are refusing to subside.
Reports have suggested that his team-mates believe he has had enough at United and could look to leave in the summer. If that proves to be the case, United could land a like-for-like replacement by swapping Fernandes with Palmer.
He would probably be one of the few players Chelsea might actually consider in such a scenario, although his age might count against him.
Marcus Rashford
Another player United could offer in exchange for Palmer is Rashford, who has been ripping it up at Barcelona since leaving Old Trafford on loan.
He has looked like a new player over the course of this season and is showing shades of the Rashford who broke through at United to considerable fanfare a decade ago.
Chelsea might be tempted to take Rashford in a potential swap deal, but it seems pretty clear that he wants to stay at Barcelona on a permanent basis.
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Palmer supported United as a boy and would feel more at home in Manchester
Palmer supported United as a boy and would feel more at home in Manchester (Image: Getty)
Kobbie Mainoo
Mainoo has gone from a guaranteed starter for club and country to a bit-part player for United this season. He was reportedly unhappy in the summer and wanted to leave Old Trafford as recently as the start of this month.
Things have changed in the last few weeks, though, with Ruben Amorim no longer in charge. The midfielder was brought back into the side by Darren Fletcher and has continued to be trusted by Michael Carrick.
As a result, the likelihood of a move elsewhere appears to be dwindling. There is also the question of whether Chelsea would even accept Mainoo in a part-exchange deal, given that he doesn't play in the same position as Palmer.
Mason Mount
A wildcard option would be Mount, who has experienced a resurgence at United this season after several years of nothingness. The former Chelsea ace has emerged as a regular for the Red Devils with supporters finally getting a glimpse of his true ability.
However, there is no doubt that swapping him for Palmer would be a massive upgrade. Mount may be tempted to rejoin his former club, having spent many years in their youth system before graduating to senior level and winning the Champions League.
Chelsea would be unlikely to take him back, though, unless a significant transfer fee is added on top of the deal. Even then, it would be an ambitious proposal.
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