Amid ever-growing links to Manchester United, Cole Palmer's future at Stamford Bridge has been a big talking point in the Premier League after it was recently revealed that he was 'unsettled' in west London. New reports have provided a pivotal update on the Englishman's future at west London club Chelsea.
Much has been made of where Palmer would move to should he part ways with the Blues, the current champions of the Europa Conference League and a team he has spearheaded since his £42.5 million-worth move from Manchester City in the summer of 2023, in either January or the summer.
Recent reports from Samuel Luckhurst suggested that a move to Old Trafford, a stadium he visited time and time again as a young lad, could be on the cards on the basis that he misses his friends at home. In the same report, it was claimed the 23-year-old has ruled out any and all links with a return to Pep Guardiola's City.
Update on Cole Palmer's Future Amid Being 'Unsettled' In London
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Ever since swapping Manchester for London, Palmer has been a goal-getting revelation for Chelsea. To date, he's plundered 77 goal contributions (48 goals and 29 assists) in 110 outings and his final-third exploits have (understandably) been lapped up by the Stamford Bridge faithful, who will have far less to gloat about without Palmer operating across the front line.
A recent report, as mentioned, claimed the playmaker is not "enjoying life down south" and that he "misses" his friends who still live in Manchester. The Guardian, elsewhere, claimed that Palmer was "homesick" and open to a move to United, a team he supported during his childhood because of Wayne Rooney.
Cole Palmer – Career Statistics
Club/Country
Chelsea
Manchester City
England
Speaking to TNT Sports after scoring a hat-trick in Chelsea’s 4-3 win over the Red Devils at Stamford Bridge in 2024, Palmer admitted: “Yeah, when I was growing up, I was a United fan.” He also admitted that Rooney was his footballing inspiration when he used to attend matches at Old Trafford as a youngster.
The fact that Chelsea higher-ups – including new boss Liam Rosenior – want to build their team around Estevao around the Etihad Stadium academy graduate also added fuel to the fire.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol poured cold water on the rumours of a premature exit. "Cole Palmer is untouchable and happy at Chelsea. He is contracted until 2023 and a key player for the future of the club," he wrote.
As things stand, Palmer is contracted at Chelsea until 2033 (a point in time when he'll be 30 years old) and the Blues view him as 'totally and utterly untouchable', Solhekol added, while he also claimed that United were not on his list of would-be buyers at the moment due to potential cost. He didn't rule out a move to United in the latter stages of his career, though.
Liam Rosenior Shuts Down Palmer Exit Rumours
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Blues boss Rosenior has also weighed in on the reports suggesting that Palmer, widely regarded as one of the best players in the Premier League, wants out. Ahead of his side's Chelsea's game away to Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday, Rosenior was asked if Palmer was 'untouchable' and 'happy', and he replied: "Yes and yes. It's simple: Cole's an incredible player like [Moises Caicedo] sitting next to me and many players in the group.
"I'm not surprised at the timing (of the rumours). A new manager comes in and all of a sudden there's people are (looking to) unsettle. It's not true. Cole's here, he's very happy, and I can't wait to see him on the pitch," the English tactician added, per The Mirror.
"There's no reason for an assurance (from Chelsea's directors). It's so unrealistic. It's come from nowhere, there's nothing in it. There's no reason to have the conversation, that's where I'm at.
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Rosenior concluded: "Cole is very happy. We've had numerous conversations with him on how we can make this team better, how he can improve and how I can help him – because he loves being here, and he wants to be a Chelsea player. You can't stop speculation, but some speculation is so far from the truth, there's no point having any discussion about it."
All statistics per Transfermarkt – correct as of 28/01/2026