Chelsea are reportedly considering selling their standout player Cole Palmer to Manchester United, while also being predicted to fall short of Champions League qualification during the closing stages of the 2025/26 season.
Palmer is believed to be a lifelong United supporter, although he developed through the academy system at Manchester City before making his move to Chelsea.
The 2025/26 campaign has been a difficult one for Palmer due to injury setbacks, yet he is still regarded as one of the Premier League’s most dangerous attacking midfielders.
The England international remains Chelsea’s top performer, but speculation about a possible departure from Stamford Bridge has intensified in recent months.
Last month’s reports suggested Palmer became unhappy following the departure of former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, with the forward even being mentioned as a long-term successor to Bruno Fernandes at United.
Now, ex-Premier League boss Sam Allardyce believes Chelsea would be willing to “cash in for the right fee,” and that United could land a “major signing” under one key condition.
“Chelsea are always prepared to sell if the price is right, so the big question is whether Manchester United can meet their valuation for Cole Palmer,” Allardyce said on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast.
“It would be a huge addition for United. He’s just 23, which means they could get seven or eight strong years out of him, possibly even more if he stays fit and looks after himself.
“He’s a special player who made an impact immediately at Chelsea. Injuries have slowed him down a bit, but he’ll soon return to his previous level.
“He’s an outstanding talent, and Chelsea are usually in a position where they can generate profit from player sales.”
Allardyce has also outlined why he expects Chelsea to miss out on Champions League football next season.
“Arsenal and Manchester City will finish first and second. After that, I’d choose Aston Villa, Liverpool and Manchester United,” Allardyce said.
“Michael Carrick has really lifted United and they have no other competitions to worry about. Their sole focus is the Premier League. They can dedicate time to coaching, recovery, nutrition and psychology, and fully prepare for each weekend.
“They’ll enjoy more rest during the week to work on tactics and recover faster. That means they’ll be sharper both physically and mentally, giving them a stronger chance than some of the other clubs in the race.”
