Chelsea have a £150m replacement in mind as they fear losing Cole Palmer to Man City if Enzo Maresca replaces Pep Guardiola as manager! Next Season
Chelsea are reportedly considering a bold move for Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham as they face growing uncertainty over Cole Palmer’s future.
The English international has emerged as an ambitious target for the Blues amid mounting speculation that former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca could attempt to bring Palmer to Manchester City if he succeeds Pep Guardiola at the Etihad.
However, Fichajes reports that Bellingham has no intention of leaving Real Madrid, which casts serious doubt over whether this deal could ever materialize.
It’s also important to note that Palmer is tied to Stamford Bridge until 2033, meaning Chelsea have no reason to sell the 23-year-old unless someone comes in with an absolutely extraordinary offer.
**Could Maresca reunite with Palmer at Manchester City?**
Palmer came through Manchester City’s academy, so it’s natural to think Maresca might fancy working with him again in the future.
Leading journalist David Ornstein has reported that Maresca has already held talks with City as uncertainty continues to surround Guardiola’s future beyond this season.
Having recently departed Chelsea, it remains to be seen whether Maresca will make the move to City this summer, and if that could then trigger an aggressive push to bring Palmer back to the club where he started his career.
Of course, these are all speculative scenarios at this stage, so Chelsea supporters needn’t panic just yet. Besides, targeting Bellingham seems wildly ambitious regardless of what happens with Palmer.
According to Fichajes, Bellingham isn’t interested in leaving the Bernabeu, and it’s equally difficult to see Real Madrid being willing to part with one of their star players.
The 22-year-old has been exceptional since moving to the Spanish capital, and he’d likely have concerns about Chelsea’s project given their inconsistent performances and uncertain Champions League prospects under the current ownership.
Furthermore, Chelsea would almost certainly struggle to afford Bellingham’s transfer fee, with another recent Fichajes report suggesting Manchester United would need to pay around €150m to secure his signature.
