Chelsea have been warned that Cole Palmer could one day seek a move to boyhood club Manchester United. Rene Meulensteen, Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant, believes the England international could be the signing to finally elevate United back to the upper echelons of the game.
Palmer seems extremely unlikely to leave Chelsea any time soon. The 23-year-old has a staggering eight years remaining on his contract and is one of the Blues’ best players. Handed the No. 10 shirt in a clear show that he is central to Chelsea’s plans for the foreseeable future, Palmer will hope to build on a largely underwhelming 2024-25 season next term. However, Meulensteen insists there could be a future in which the former Manchester City star wears a United shirt.
Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, the Dutchman said: “It’s almost a public secret that Cole Palmer is a Manchester United fan. What surprised me is how he slipped through the fingers of United with him being at Manchester City and then getting his chance at Chelsea.
“He is a player that can make a difference, could he play for United in the future? Yeah, I can’t see why not.
“Obviously he’s got a long-term contract with Chelsea, but sometimes things don’t work out and players and clubs fall out, then United would be interested and it could be a really good destination for him. He is a United fan after all and he is a player that would bring United back to a higher level.”
Palmer grew up as a United fan and nearly signed for their academy as a teenager. However, he remained with City and progressed to their first-team before joining Chelsea in 2023.
He once told Sky Sports of growing up a United fan: “When I do go back to [Old Trafford], it’s good because obviously I used to go and watch matches there. Rooney [was my icon]. I supported United and he was the best player.”
United seem very far away from being able to attract players of Palmer’s quality to Old Trafford. Their summer business so far has centred around improving their attack with the additions of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. A centre-forward is high on their agenda, although they may need to raise significant funds through sales to be able to afford an upgrade on Ruben Amorim’s current options.