COLE PALMER would be open to a sensational transfer to Manchester United.
Sun Sport revealed Chelsea star Palmer is unsettled in London two-and-a-half years on after his move from Manchester City.
And Mancunian Palmer would welcome any interest from boyhood club United.
Sources say Palmer would not entertain a return to City, where Pep Guardiola is still in charge.
City sold Palmer to Chelsea for £42.5million in September 2023 and he signed an improved contract until 2033 last season.
But Palmer misses his hometown of Wythenshawe and frequently returns to see family and friends.
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The 23-year-old has only started 11 games this season amid a problematic groin injury and Palmer was not in the squad for Chelsea’s 3-1 win at Crystal Palace on Sunday.
United director of football Jason Wilcox was the academy head at City when Palmer was breaking through.
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Wilcox expressed his belief that one of the City academy graduates could go on and win the Ballon d’Or.
United moved for former City striker Liam Delap last summer but he opted to join Chelsea.
Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada, previously the chief operating officer at City, will oversee recruitment at United again this summer.
Palmer is a left-footed playmaker and United already have several No10s, with two left-footers in Amad and Bryan Mbeumo. Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha arrived in the summer.
However, there is uncertainty over the long-term future of captain Bruno Fernandes, who has indicated he could leave after the World Cup.
Fernandes is under contract at United until next year and the club has the option of another year.
But Fernandes also has an agreement with United that he can move to an overseas club for £57m in the summer.
Although United’s recruitment plans are already advanced, they are in the process of identifying their next permanent head coach.
Michael Carrick, who masterminded superb back-to-back wins against City and Arsenal, is under contract until the end of the season and confirmed last week he would have input on their midfield target.
Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe became the United co-owner two years ago, the club have hired several former senior City staff members.
Aside from Wilcox and Berrada, the United performance director Sam Erith and communications officials Toby Craig and Cat Smith all used to work at City.
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