Cole Palmer’s future at Chelsea has come under renewed scrutiny after former France defender William Gallas said the England international will “certainly” move to Manchester United at some point.
Gallas does not expect the transfer to happen this summer, but believes Palmer could eventually leave Stamford Bridge if his long-standing support for Manchester United and ambition to play for the club influence his decision.
“I don’t think Palmer will leave now, the timing is not right,” Gallas told iPredicta. “But if he is a passionate United supporter and dreams of playing there, he will certainly move to them in the future.”
The former defender added that Palmer may need to produce another outstanding campaign for Chelsea before a move becomes possible.
“I think he needs to deliver another excellent season with Chelsea, like he did two years ago before his injury, and then the transfer could happen,” said Gallas.
The comments come after a difficult season for Chelsea, who failed to qualify for any European competition. That outcome has revived previous reports suggesting Palmer feels homesick for Manchester and would like to return to the city after moving to London.
Chelsea’s management denied those reports at the start of the year, attempting to end speculation that the 23-year-old’s time at Stamford Bridge could be coming to an end.
Palmer joined Chelsea from Manchester City in the summer of 2023 in a deal worth £42.5m. He had spent 13 years in Manchester City’s academy before making the move, while his support for Manchester United since childhood has been widely known.
Andrey Santos sends Palmer message
Gallas’ remarks coincided with comments from Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos, who recently joined Manchester United and revealed that Palmer contacted him after his move to Old Trafford was completed.
Santos signed a five-year contract with Manchester United for an initial fee of £48m, with a further £2m available in add-ons. He said Palmer reached out because of their shared connection with Manchester.
“I received a message from Cole as soon as I completed my transfer,” Santos said. “He sent it because he was born in Manchester and knows everything here.”
“He said to me: ‘All the best in your career, you deserve this, I am very excited to be here with my new team-mates.’”
Santos had insisted on leaving Chelsea in search of a regular starting opportunity. His move has added another link between the two clubs at a time when speculation about Palmer’s own future has returned.
Palmer has become one of Chelsea’s leading attacking players since arriving from Manchester City, but Gallas believes the player’s next season could be decisive if Manchester United are eventually to pursue him.
For now, there has been no indication from Chelsea that Palmer is available for transfer, and the club previously rejected suggestions that his career in west London was nearing its conclusion. Nevertheless, Gallas’ prediction, combined with Palmer’s known childhood allegiance to Manchester United and Santos’ message, has placed the player’s long-term future back in the spotlight.
