Cole Palmer could still have a route back to Manchester, according to the Manchester Evening News, which reports that a move to Old Trafford would be there for the taking if the England forward pushed for it.

The paper frames the transfer as “done if he wants it”, pointing to Palmer’s own willingness as the missing piece rather than any breakthrough in talks between the clubs. Nothing about the situation has been confirmed by Chelsea, Manchester United or Palmer himself.

Palmer’s public message to Santos

The subplot the Manchester Evening News leans on is Andrey Santos. The Brazil midfielder completed his £48m move from Chelsea to Manchester United in mid-July, with a further £2m in add-ons and a 10 per cent sell-on clause, and quickly told reporters that Palmer had been in touch.

“I got a message from Cole [Palmer], he sent a message because he was born here, so he knows everything here,” Santos said.

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“He said all the best for you, for your career, you deserve this, a lot of things, so I’m so excited to be here in Manchester with my new teammates.”

Palmer commented publicly under United’s announcement as well, posting “What a player! Good luck bro” with a red heart. He grew up in Wythenshawe, south Manchester, a United supporter, and has never hidden it.

Chelsea’s position has not shifted

The obstacle is at the other end of the deal. Chelsea have repeatedly signalled that Palmer is not for sale.

When speculation first spiked in January, head coach Liam Rosenior told reporters that the England international was “untouchable” and happy at Stamford Bridge, adding that the talk had “come from nowhere”.

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BlueCo’s stance has not softened since. Reports in May had Chelsea’s ownership firmly rejecting any suggestion of a sale to United, with Palmer contracted through 2033 after his 2023 arrival from Manchester City.

The one condition

The condition attached to the Manchester Evening News report is Palmer, not price.

As long as the 24-year-old stays publicly committed to Chelsea, the paper’s own framing acknowledges that no move can happen, however receptive United would be to a returning boyhood fan.

Other outlets have floated different sticking points over the summer. Chelsea legend Joe Cole suggested any exit would be “Champions League dependent”, while reports elsewhere have said Palmer would seek game-time assurances given Bruno Fernandes’s role in the United side.

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For now, Palmer remains a Chelsea player, and Santos has filled the summer’s high-profile Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford slot in his place.

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