£42.5m star open to "sensational" Man Utd transfer, "unsettled" at his club - report

Manchester United primarily focused on bolstering their forward department last summer.

Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko were signed to reinforce the attack. Goalkeeper Senne Lammens and left-back Diego Leon were also recruited as part of the spending spree.

The Red Devils continue to be linked with creative players, and The Sun surprisingly claim that Chelsea star Cole Palmer would be open to a ‘sensational’ transfer to his boyhood club, United.

Palmer supported the Red Devils as a youngster. He is ‘unsettled’ in west London and misses his hometown of Wythenshawe. He has frequently returned to see family and friends until now.

The playmaker has no desire to return to Manchester City after they sold him to Chelsea for £42.5 million in 2023, but would welcome any interest from the Red Devils heading into the summer.

Man Utd unlikely to sign Palmer

Palmer has established himself as one of the Premier League’s best creative players. The 23-year-old has registered 48 goals and 29 assists from 110 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea.

However, he has endured a tough 2025/26 campaign. The Englishman has been among the goals with five from 13 appearances, but has been nursing a nagging groin issue for a while.

This is a possible concern going forward as he may require surgery. Furthermore, it is unlikely that the Blues will consider selling one of their most prized assets to the Red Devils.

The west London outfit previously sold Mason Mount to United due to his contract situation (final year of his deal). Palmer has a staggering seven more years remaining on his existing deal.

United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, could have an eye on Palmer, having previously been the academy head at Man City, but a transfer seems highly unlikely.

The club don’t need another number 10 in the squad as long as Bruno Fernandes stays. The Portuguese has an agreement to leave for an overseas club for around £57m this summer.

With United back in a strong position to qualify for the Champions League, Fernandes will no doubt want to continue. His departure may not be on the cards at the end of the season.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .