Top News

You know those players who are just perfectly suited to one team? Yeah, well, Cole Palmer is that exact player for Manchester United. It helps that the Manchester-born ace was a boyhood United fan, but even beyond his childhood loyalties, Palmer screams 'Old Trafford fan favourite'.

Chelsea took the gamble back in 2023 when Palmer was struggling to break into the Manchester City first team, and for the most part, it's been a raging success. But Chelsea are a volatile club at the best of times, and if they can't match Palmer's ambitions, who's to say he doesn't look elsewhere?

Given United finished 15th and didn't qualify for Europe last season, attracting a player of Palmer's calibre might seem a little fan fetched, but a gift could be about to fall into the palms of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co. That's because according to some reports, Palmer hasn't properly settled into life down south and could look to move closer to his Manchester home.

Wages shouldn't be a problem for United, even if their inconsistencies on the pitch continue. But there's also a very real possibility that United could be competing in the Champions League next season, while Chelsea may yet finish outside the top four (or five, depending on how the coefficient plays out) positions in the league.

And if Palmer is feeling homesick, as certain reports have suggested, it narrows down the list of potential suitors to basically just United anyway. It's difficult to imagine a world where Palmer is rocking up at Anfield as Mohamed Salah's replacement, and while he did come through the City academy, that ship feels like it sailed a while ago.

No disrespect to the likes of Everton, Burnley and Leeds United, but while they have geography going for them, they're never going to be in the conversation. Which basically means United, should they wish to do so, could have a free hit at signing the 23-year-old.

Sure, it would require a hefty transfer fee, most likely in excess of £100million, to land his signature. Not to mention a massive salary and a promise he starts all the big games. But Palmer could be just the sort of poster boy United's hierarchy needs to really get the INEOS era up and running properly.

When Ratcliffe arrived at Old Trafford, he made a promise to United fans that the best British talents would be flocking to join their team. There are few bigger or better in the world of football right now than Palmer. It just makes perfect sense.