Cole Palmer has bene linked with a move to Manchester United in recent weeks

Manchester United have been told why it would be unlikely for Bruno Fernandes to be in their squad next season if they were to sign Cole Palmer. United have been linked with a move for the Chelsea star in recent weeks, while Fernandes’ future at Old Trafford has also been the subject of speculation.

Palmer left Manchester City in 2023 to join Chelsea, but did support United in his youth, which has fuelled speculation that a move to the Reds could be on the cards in the summer.

Fernandes was heavily linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League last summer, but opted to remain at United for another year, and the rumours of a potential departure in the future are not going away.

The Portugal international is under contract at United until the summer of 2027, with the Reds having the option to extend the deal by a further 12 months.

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Amid the ongoing uncertainty, former Premier League star Jermaine Pennant believes it’s unlikely that United would sign Palmer, unless they were to sanction an exit for Fernandes.

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“I think it all depends on what happens with Bruno Fernandes,” Pennant said, speaking on behalf of BetSelect.co.uk.

“He’s obviously not getting any younger. If the Saudi clubs come back in for a whopping £100 million plus, I think they may potentially think, ‘Okay, thank you and bring in Cole [Palmer]’.

“But I don’t see why they’d bring in Cole and then have Bruno as well, both kind of the same position. Unless they’re looking to drop Bruno a bit deeper.

“But if you’ve got a player of that calibre saying, ‘I’m unhappy and I want to come to your club or come back home’, the alarm bells are going to start ringing and maybe having questions about it because he’s a fantastic player.

“I would be surprised [if Palmer left] because I think Chelsea have kind of built a project, a lot of young players, for the past two seasons, been evolved around Cole Palmer.

“You would say that, obviously not in the league position at the minute, but maybe they’re in a better place at present. So yeah, it would be a shock to see him leave to go to Man United.”

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