Chelsea are said to be weighing up an eye-catching and highly ambitious move for Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham as doubts continue to swirl around the long-term future of Cole Palmer at Stamford Bridge.
Reports suggest the Blues are keeping a close eye on the situation amid increasing speculation that former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca could attempt to lure Palmer back to Manchester City if he ends up succeeding Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium. The possibility of such a reunion has understandably caused anxiety among sections of the Chelsea fanbase, even if, for now, it remains largely hypothetical.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Chelsea have identified Bellingham as a potential marquee signing should uncertainty around Palmer escalate. The England midfielder has been mentioned as a dream target, reflecting the scale of Chelsea’s ambition rather than a realistic or imminent transfer plan. However, the same report makes it clear that Bellingham himself has no desire to leave Real Madrid, which significantly weakens the likelihood of any deal taking shape.
It is also crucial to put the Palmer situation into proper context. The 23-year-old only recently committed his future to Chelsea, signing a long-term contract that runs until 2033.
This places the club in a very strong negotiating position, meaning there is no immediate pressure or obligation to sell unless an extraordinary and record-breaking offer were to arrive. Chelsea, therefore, retain full control over Palmer’s future and are under no compulsion to entertain interest from elsewhere.
That said, the idea of Maresca attempting to reunite with Palmer is not entirely far-fetched. Palmer is a product of Manchester City’s academy, and Maresca knows the player well from their time working within City’s setup. It would be natural for the Italian coach to consider building around a player he trusts, should he land one of the most high-profile managerial roles in world football.
Respected journalist David Ornstein has previously reported that Maresca has already held discussions with Manchester City, as questions persist over Guardiola’s plans beyond the current season. With Maresca no longer at Chelsea, speculation will inevitably continue over whether he could make the jump to City and whether that might spark renewed interest in Palmer.
For now, however, these scenarios remain speculative. Chelsea supporters are not facing an immediate crisis, and there is no indication that Palmer is actively pushing for a move away. In contrast, the notion of signing Bellingham appears even more unrealistic.
The 22-year-old has been outstanding since arriving at the Santiago Bernabéu and is viewed as a cornerstone of Real Madrid’s present and future.
Fichajes also notes that Real Madrid have no intention of selling one of their most influential players.
On top of that, Chelsea would almost certainly struggle to meet the financial demands of such a transfer. Recent reports claim that even Manchester United would need to pay around €150 million to have any chance of landing Bellingham, a figure that highlights just how difficult a deal would be.
Ultimately, while the rumors make for dramatic headlines, both the Palmer and Bellingham situations remain firmly in the realm of speculation rather than reality.
