“I don’t care any amount” “Just sign him” – Pep Guardiola tells Man city to break transfer record fee on Chelsea star
A surprising rumor has emerged stating that Pep Guardiola is pressing Manchester City to re-sign former academy product Cole Palmer, creating much debate regarding Chelsea’s position on the issue.
Many questioned Chelsea’s £42.5 million cost for Palmer when he left Manchester City in 2023. Palmer soon silenced naysayers with a spectacular debut season, winning Chelsea’s Player of the Season title as well as the prestigious PFA Young Player of the Year and PFA Fans’ Player of the Year awards.
Now, just months into the 2024/25 campaign, Palmer continues to light up Stamford Bridge with more stellar performances. According to reports from Spanish outlet Fichajes, Guardiola is keen to correct the “mistake” of letting the talented playmaker leave by sanctioning a record-breaking return.
The report suggests that City would be willing to bid a whopping £125 million (€150m / $163m) to bring Palmer back, a fee that would smash the current British transfer record set by Moises Caicedo’s £115 million move to Chelsea. If such a deal materialised, Palmer would become the most expensive signing in Premier League history.
Chelsea, however, are expected to resist City’s advances. The Blues have invested heavily in Palmer’s development and handed him a new long-term contract just this past August, tying him down until 2033. Crucially, there’s no buy-back clause in Palmer’s deal with Chelsea, meaning Chelsea hold all the cards.
The reasoning behind City’s potential bid stems from uncertainty over Kevin De Bruyne’s future. The Belgian maestro, who has been plagued by injuries recently, is now 33 and entering the final year of his contract.
Despite Guardiola’s desire to reunite with Palmer, Chelsea fans should feel confident. The club is in a strong bargaining position, and it appears unlikely that they would part ways with a player so central to their future plans – especially after such a spectacular start to life at Stamford Bridge.
Palmer’s growing influence at Chelsea ensures he remains one of the club’s most prized assets. With no financial pressure to sell, the Blues will likely reject even a record-shattering bid.