Man United are reportedly ‘strong’ interested in signing the Man City star, but will cost a whopping £150 million.
United have been quietly building one of the most ambitious summer transfer plans in the Premier League, and early signs suggest that interim Michael Carrick could give him an impressive squad to manage permanently – if the club keep faith in him.
Sitting in third place in the Champions League, United have turned their season around dramatically since the departure of Ruben Amorim.
INEOS are now reportedly planning next season with a bigger focus, and targets from Old Trafford show the club are preparing to compete at the bottom of the game again.
United have already made an initial approach for Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz, who is understood to be a summer target.
The 20-year-old has been exceptional in Turin this season, netting 10 goals and 7 assists in all competitions, and has allegedly drawn comparisons with Lamine Yamal within the Juventus dressing room.
Man United are opening early talks to sign the Premier League captain who wants to leave
The Red Devils are looking to take advantage.
INEOS are ready to bid in the region of £78 million, although Juventus are bidding higher and Arsenal and Chelsea are circling.
Separately, the Red Devils are keen to seal the deal for Wolves youngster Mateus Mane, the 18-year-old who has been flagged as a £50 million option who could follow the same path Matheus Cunha took from Molineux to Old Trafford last year.
There is also interest in Newcastle star Anthony Gordon, but amid all that activity, one potentially interesting piece of business involves a former City man.
Man United are eyeing a ‘concrete’ move for Cole Palmer
According to CaughtOffside reporter Mark Brus, United have a genuine and ‘strong’ interest in signing Cole Palmer from Chelsea.
The 23-year-old was thought to be a star player for City, but received limited opportunities under Pep Guardiola before moving to Stamford Bridge.
Since then, Palmer has excelled in west London, emerging as their best player at his best.
The level of obstacles for United, however, is huge.
Chelsea consider Palmer to be the key figure for their entire project and have made their position clear, he is not for sale.
The England international only signed a contract extension until 2033 last August, giving the club huge leverage in any future negotiations.
CaughtOffside say that sources close to the player do not give anything about his intentions, and there is no suggestion that he wants to leave.
Chelsea’s internal valuation, should the situation change, is understood to be in the region of £150 million – an amount that would represent the largest transfer fee in the history of the Premier League and the richest clubs would find it difficult to justify under the PSR constraints.
Bruce admits that even within United, the perception is not that this is the right time for him to leave.
Sources suggest that the preference would be to avoid a long public saga, and that without a clear indication from Palmer himself that he wants out, a deal has no clear path this summer.
United are also keen to keep Bruno Fernandes for at least one more season, raising questions about where Palmer will fit into the immediate future.
In time, Palmer is seen as the natural heir to Fernandes at Old Trafford.
For now, it may be one for the future.
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