Palmer's name never raised in United-Chelsea talks despite Old Trafford links, Santos reveals good-luck message

Cole Palmer’s name was never raised during Manchester United and Chelsea’s summer transfer negotiations, despite months of speculation linking the England forward with a move to Old Trafford, according to a report by the Daily Mail.

United’s discussions with Chelsea focused entirely on midfielder Andrey Santos, with the two clubs taking two days to finalise a £48m plus £2m deal for the Brazilian. Chelsea sporting director Paul Winstanley and United director of football Jason Wilcox were among the officials involved in those talks, yet Palmer — despite being a boyhood United supporter — did not feature in any conversation between the clubs.

The revelation may surprise those who followed the summer’s transfer rumours closely. With United having secured Champions League football and Chelsea finishing 10th in the Premier League, speculation had grown that Palmer could be tempted by a return to his home city. Reports suggested he felt he belonged at Champions League level and had missed Manchester since leaving the academy.

Palmer, 24, has since committed his future to Chelsea, signing a new contract earlier this month that runs until 2034. He has also returned to form emphatically under new manager Xabi Alonso, scoring four goals and contributing three assists across 10 appearances in all competitions — a run that earned him a recall to the England squad after he missed the summer’s World Cup.

Santos, meanwhile, has found his own start at United more difficult, but he has spoken warmly about the support he received from Palmer when the move was confirmed. “I got a message from Cole,” Santos told MUTV. “He sent a message because he was born here, so he knows everything here. 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.”

The two players are set to face each other in the Premier League on Saturday when United travel to Stamford Bridge, with manager Michael Carrick preparing his side to take on a Chelsea team that has hit the ground running under Alonso.