Chelsea and England star Cole Palmer continues to be heavily linked with a move to Manchester United, the club he supported as a boy
Cole Palmer of Chelsea won't be heading to Old Trafford any time soon
Cole Palmer of Chelsea won't be heading to Old Trafford any time soon(Image: 2026 UEFA)
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Manchester United will not move for Cole Palmer, the Chelsea and England star, this summer for two key reasons.
Firstly, and simply, United bosses know that Palmer, a boyhood supporter of the club, is out of the club's price range this summer.
And secondly, an attacking midfielder is not on the club's list of priorities when it comes to strengthening the side.
United invested almost £135million in the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo last summer, while also spending big on a new No.9 in Benjamin Sesko. With Amad making rapid progress too, they aren't short of options in attacking positions, and believe other areas need greater attention this off-season.
The club do have a decision to make on Bruno Fernandes, and could decide to spend whatever it takes to keep the captain on an extended deal - further negating the need for Palmer.
And it's understood co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and CEO Omar Berrada have already held talks over potential tarfets - with the duo making it their mission to bring in a world class defensive midfielder, to replace the outgoing Casemiro.
United are mindful over the potential valuations of three players who have been linked and are on their radar, namely Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, Elliott Anderson of Nottingham Forest and Brighton's Carlos Baleba.
Palmer has been linked with a return to Manchester to join United, amid suggestions he is unsettled in west London and would like to move back to the north west. However, new Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has insisted he's going nowhere.
Palmer signed a nine-year deal with Chelsea when he joined them in 2024, meaning he is under contract until 2023. United would have to stump up in excess of £100m to land the 23-year-old, as well as offer him wages in the region of £250,000-a-week.
There are also questions over whether United will secure Champions League football this term, weakening their hand when it comes to luring targets to Old Trafford.
A deal now simply does not make financial sense for United, who are also willing to sell Marcus Rashford to Barcelona this summer for a cut-price £25m.