Manchester City have submitted an offer to re-sign Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer ahead of the summer transfer window, according to media reports.
Football365 has cited sources in Spain, while TalkSport has been tracking the situation, complicated by the managerial merry-go-round and the emerging picture at Chelsea.
The 24-year-old England international left the Etihad Stadium for Stamford Bridge in September 2023 in a deal worth an initial £40 million plus add-ons, after struggling for regular first-team minutes under Pep Guardiola.
City are said to be eager to bring the playmaker back to Manchester, with former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca reportedly driving the interest as he prepares to take charge at the Premier League runners-up.
Wythenshawe-born Palmer thrived under Maresca in West London. Links have also emerged of Palmer going to join Manchester United but these reports seem wide of the mark considering the history between the player and the ex Chelsea boss.
Cole Palmer omitted from England World Cup squad
Palmer has enjoyed a highly productive individual spell at his current club, registering 47 goals and 20 assists in 96 Premier League appearances for Chelsea.
However, the midfielder has endured a more challenging 2025-26 campaign, managing 10 goals and one assist in 26 league outings.
That drop in form culminated in omission from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the upcoming World Cup.
Tuchel is adamant he has made the right call on his squad, but it’s up to Palmer to find his best form once again to send a message.
The situation with Chelsea and Xabi Alonso
Chelsea finished a very underwhelming Premier League campaign in 10th place following a final-day defeat to Sunderland, with Palmer securing the consolation goal, meaning the club will miss out on European football next season under incoming manager Xabi Alonso.
Sources close to Chelsea have indicated the club has no intention of selling Palmer, who remains under a long-term contract.
Alonso appears the type of football brain and coach to elicit the best from a talent like ‘Cold Palmer’
Conversely, football finance experts suggest that the absence of European revenue, combined with internal pressure to comply with financial regulations, could leave the London club vulnerable to substantial bids.
A massive bid could represent a significant profit for Chelsea, potentially allowing the club to restructure its squad and balance its accounts ahead of the first season in charge for the Bundesliga winner with Bayer Leverkusen and short-lived Real Madrid boss.