Regardless of who the manager of Man Utd is, defensive midfield is their top transfer priority, with Elliot Anderson heading that list, but they must rip up those plans for one player.
After the short-lived chase for Carlos Baleba last summer resulted in failure, the tremors of that failure have been felt at Old Trafford.
The gaping hole in defensive midfield looks less chronic now that Ruben Amorim is gone, but it needs addressing nonetheless.
You have £100m to spend on a midfielder – who are YOU buying, Elliot Anderson or Adam Wharton?
Or is there another realistic player you would sign instead? Let us know who!
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Elliot Anderson is the priority, but even he might need to be put aside if literally the “best in the league” becomes available. It’s starting to look like it might happen.
Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer of England talk during 'Diary Room' at Spa & Golf Resort Weimarer Land on June 26, 2024
Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Man Utd could see Cole Palmer being available in the summer
It’s not a scenario anyone thought was even remotely possible, but considering Chelsea basically function like an asset management company cosplaying as a football club, the recent reports aren’t so far-fetched anymore.
As Chelsea struggle for stability after Enzo Maresca’s sacking, Cole Palmer has come into focus again.
Palmer has struggled with injuries this season as he hasn’t been able to show his best, and the murmurs around his discontent are starting to grow.
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It’s an open secret that Palmer is a boyhood Man Utd fan, and while that alone wasn’t enough to facilitate a move, recent developments might be.
For Chelsea to sell Palmer, two things needed to happen.
First, the player needed to feel that he’s not happy at Chelsea and wants a move back to Manchester, which has been murmured recently.
Secondly, Chelsea needed to be open for business, and the London club have shown no indication that any player on their wage bill is ever not for sale.
The discontent murmurs are spreading, and United must grab the opportunity.
Palmer is worth ripping up transfer plans for, including Elliot Anderson
United do need a defensive midfielder, and Anderson is the priority, but if there is a choice between buying two defensive midfielders and buying one in addition to Cole Palmer, it’s a no-brainer.
Man Utd should pay _____ to sign Cole Palmer if he becomes available from Chelsea
Fill in the blank! How much is Cole Palmer worth?
Chelsea FC v F.C. Copenhagen - UEFA Conference League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg
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Palmer is the kind of boyhood fan homecoming story that dreams are made of, and his talent is undeniable, to say the least.
He has been called the “best in the league” as recently as last season, and a single season of injury worries won’t do anything to dampen the excitement around him.
It doesn’t mean that United should present an open cheque and get fleeced as they did with Mason Mount, but it’s not an opportunity they can pass up without trying.
The stars could be aligning in the universe, with Bruno Fernandes’ exit rumours refusing to go away, only for him to be replaced by a precocious English player who grew up as a United fan.
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