Chelsea 'to open talks with Manchester City for Cole Palmer'

Chelsea have reportedly identified Manchester City playmaker Cole Palmer as a potential addition ahead of Friday's transfer deadline.

The Blues have enjoyed a hugely productive few months in the market, parting ways with a wide array of players to make room for their preferred alternatives in all areas of the pitch.

However, Mauricio Pochettino is still short in the final third, the Argentine acknowledging on more than one occasion that he would like to sign a versatile attacker.

That is partly due to Christopher Nkunku being sidelined until the back end of 2023 with a knee injury and Armando Broja yet to prove his fitness after a more serious issue in the same area.

As of Tuesday, Pochettino reiterated that the club's recruitment team were working hard to find a solution, Arsenal's Emile Smith Rowe one of the options that has seemingly been considered.

© Reuters

Nevertheless, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea intend to open discussions with Man City regarding the possible signing of Palmer.

The England Under-21 international begun the campaign in some style, scoring an outstanding individual goal in the Community Shield before getting on the scoresheet in the UEFA Super Cup 10 days later.

That said, the 21-year-old has been provided with minimal further opportunities in the Premier League, making just one 10-minute appearance from the substitutes' bench.

Palmer's top-flight outing in question came when City's fixture with Burnley on the opening day was over as a contest, and he has now not featured since August 16.

© Reuters

Amid interest from West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion, manager Pep Guardiola has recently indicated that a decision needs to be made by himself and the player with regards to his future.

Chelsea had previously not been considered as an option for Palmer, yet Romano says that the West Londoners may push hard to make him their final signing of the summer.

City have allegedly not decided how to handle any proposals put forward by Chelsea, who remain as a rival despite their contrasting league positions in 2022-23.

If Palmer made the switch to Chelsea, he would not be short of familiar faces with Romeo Lavia and Raheem Sterling known from their days at City and the likes of Levi Colwill and Noni Madueke having played alongside Palmer for England at the Under-21 European Championship in June and July.