When Jim Ratcliffe entered the scene at Old Trafford as part owner and boss of the sporting part of the store, one of the first signals sent was that there was no more signing expensive and overpaid, established stars. Now the focus was on buying the biggest talents with the potential to deliver in the Premier League, for an acceptable price, and then developing them into stars. Priority should also be given to players with English passports whose course was set for a role in the English senior national team. Cole Palmer fits into the category of the greatest talent, delivering in the world’s toughest league, an English passport and a ticket to the Three Lions. The train has nevertheless departed with regard to the original concept of acceptable price, but now it is reported that the concept of acceptable is relative.
The 23-year-old Palmer, who played his 13th international match against Uruguay on Friday night, is now in his third season at Stamford Bridge following his £42.5 million move from Manchester City in 2023. Palmer couldn’t have started his career at Chelsea any better, scoring 37 Premier League goals in his first two seasons at the club. Despite his form having been weakened due to injuries in the current season, Palmer has delivered 10 goals in playing time in a total of 25 games.
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Manchester United are building for the long run. England internationals are high on the wish list, one of the 2023/24 season’s best attacking players in the Premier League could end up at Old Trafford, the Manchester Evening News reported in February, claiming the 23-year-old is homesick.
When a friend of Palmer’s, who was on a Dubai trip with the Chelsea star in February, posted the photo of the two with a caption, the English media woke up.
“One day I’m going to get CP (Cole Palmer) to Utd, home where he belongs. Ask him what his favorite team is.” The text came followed by a red devil and a football.
Teamtalk’s sources also claim that Palmer wants to go to Manchester United, Palmer is said to have a high star in United boss Ratcliffe. Inka The Sun claims a move to United at Palmer may now have “accelerated” due to several factors. The report suggests that former City star Palmer is “frustrated” with the tactical changes this season and was unhappy with Nicolas Jackson’s loan move to Bayern Munich last summer. The Sun adds that Palmer has given the green light to a move to Old Trafford.
Teantalk’s sources claim Chelsea are demanding at least £150 million for Palmer, which would represent a new British transfer record.
Then the question is whether Palmer’s “dissatisfaction” and desire to play for the club he has supported as a child is matched with Manchester United’s willingness and ability to invest gigantic amounts in one player.
