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Cole Palmer's switch to Manchester United appears to be dead in the water despite intense speculation linking him with the club this week. Reports suggested he was unsettled in London and, being a United supporter, a transfer to Old Trafford appeared feasible.

However, as The Mirror revealed, United won't be pursuing the England international, instead focusing on landing a world-class defensive midfielder. The club already snapped up Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha last summer so they're well-covered in attacking midfield positions.

Yet there was a period when Palmer nearly put pen to paper with United. Speaking on the Talk of the Devils podcast last year, academy coach Colin Little disclosed what he understood about a potential Palmer transfer.

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"I know Cole Palmer's family quite well, I know his dad and his uncle," he said in 2025. "We (Man United) were close to getting Cole Palmer when he was about 16, believe it or not.

"He was umming and ahhing, and I knew he was a big United fan. He was at that age where you're allowed to leave, 16 is it? They were umming and ahhing, Man City, about it.

"I think City, in the end, made him a good enough offer, but really he was always a United fan, and it was close, I remember speaking. I think City needed to show him a bit more love and that kind of stuff. We never quite got it over the line, but it would've been nice if we did, wouldn't it?".

Palmer put pen to paper on a nine-year deal with Chelsea upon his arrival in 2023, meaning he remains contracted to the club until at least 2033. Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has addressed the rumours directly this week.

"There's no reason for assurance. It's so unrealistic. It's come from nowhere. There's nothing in it. There's no reason to have the conversation. That's where I'm at," said Rosenior.

"Cole is very happy. I've had numerous conversations with him. Our thoughts are on how we can make this team better, how he can improve and how I can help him.

"He loves being here and he wants to be a Chelsea player. You can't stop speculation, but some speculation is so far from the truth. There's no point in having a discussion about it."

Palmer has previously acknowledged his childhood allegiance to United, telling TNT Sports following a hat-trick against them at Stamford Bridge in 2024. "Yeah, when I was growing up, I was a United fan. I just think to try and do the same thing," he said.

"But I've scored away and a few here today, so I'm buzzing. I just try and take each game as it comes and show the Chelsea fans and everyone what I came here to do, and that is just play football."