According to a report from Sky Sports, relayed by the Daily Express, there is a growing belief that Cole Palmer may be open to the idea of returning to Manchester in the future, with Manchester United being mentioned as a potential destination.
The report claims that the Chelsea attacker has been struggling with feelings of homesickness since moving to London, which could eventually influence his long-term plans.
Palmer, now 23, was born in Wythenshawe and grew up supporting Manchester United. Despite that allegiance, he developed as a footballer within Manchester City’s academy, where he progressed through the youth ranks before breaking into the first-team picture.
In the summer of 2023, he made a high-profile move to Chelsea in a deal worth £45 million — a fee that, with hindsight, appears to be exceptional value given how quickly he has established himself as one of the Premier League’s standout attacking players.
The England international made an immediate impact following his arrival at Stamford Bridge. During his first Premier League season with Chelsea, Palmer enjoyed a sensational campaign, scoring 22 goals and providing 11 assists in just 33 league appearances.
His composure, creativity, and end product quickly marked him out as the focal point of Chelsea’s attack and one of the most decisive players in the division.
His influence has extended well beyond domestic competition. Since joining the London club, Palmer has recorded an impressive total of 48 goals and 29 assists across all competitions, achieved in 110 appearances.
One of the highlights of his Chelsea career so far came during last summer’s Club World Cup final, where he delivered a memorable performance against Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain, scoring twice and setting up another goal to cap off a dominant display on the global stage.
Despite speculation linking him with a return north, Chelsea are said to be firmly against the idea of selling Palmer, particularly to a direct Premier League rival such as Manchester United. The club views him as a cornerstone of their long-term project and has little incentive to consider offers, especially given his importance to the team and his continued development.
From Manchester United’s perspective, a player of Palmer’s calibre would be hugely appealing, and many supporters would be willing to overlook his Manchester City background due to his talent and connection to the area.
However, any potential transfer would be extremely difficult to engineer unless Palmer himself actively pushed for a move away from Chelsea.
Further complicating matters is Palmer’s contractual situation. He is tied down to Chelsea until 2033, giving the club significant leverage in any negotiations. His current market valuation stands at around £104 million, according to Transfermarkt, underlining both his elite status and the scale of investment required for any club hoping to secure his signature.
