Chelsea eye late transfer swoop for Man City youngster
- Chelsea showing interest in Man City talent Cole Palmer
- Early contact with player's camp met with encouraging signs
- City may struggle to offer the necessary assurances over game time
Chelsea have been in contact with the representatives of Manchester City youngster Cole Palmer as the summer transfer deadlines loom, 90min understands.
Having already spent enormous sums on new players since the end of last season, Chelsea are still determined to add attacking depth to their squad.
Christopher Nkunku isn't expected to return until the end of the calendar year, while Carney Chukwuemeka underwent knee surgery this month and both Armando Broja and Mykhailo Mudryk are nursing more minor injury complaints.
As 90min reported on Tuesday, the Blues have already been rebuffed by Arsenal this week following an enquiry over Emile Smith Rowe. Now, Palmer has emerged on their radar.
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90min understands that Chelsea have been encouraged by their early communication with Palmer’s camp. City would prefer to keep the home-grown 21-year-old, who is rated by manager Pep Guardiola. But he is seeking assurances over game time that are unlikely to come.
Palmer scored City’s only goals in both the Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup this season, yet 10 minutes at the end of a comfortable 3-0 win over Burnley is all he has been afforded in the Premier League so far. He made 25 appearances in all competitions last season, but only seven starts.
"Obviously, the best scenario is to stay at City and play," Palmer said after the Super Cup. "But obviously you know what the competition is like, if they bring someone in. I just want to play football. So whatever the best decision is when we speak together, that is what I will do."
City have indeed since spent big money on Belgian winger Jeremy Doku from Rennes and are in the process of trying to sign midfielder Matheus Nunes from Wolves.
"I don't think a loan is going to happen. He's going to stay or he's going to be sold," Guardiola said of the Palmer situation earlier this month.
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