Cole Palmer's name was reportedly not mentioned during transfer talks between Manchester United and Chelsea in the summer, despite the forward being linked with a move to Old Trafford.
With United securing Champions League football and Chelsea finishing 10th, speculation had grown about Palmer's future and a potential switch to the Reds at the end of last season. The 24-year-old is a boyhood United fan, and there had been talk that he could be tempted to join Michael Carrick's side if an opportunity arose.
No Palmer talks during Santos deal
According to the Daily Mail, United did not make a move for Palmer during the summer transfer window, and his name was not raised during discussions between the Reds and Chelsea.
United negotiated with Chelsea over a deal for Andrey Santos, which took two days to agree, with the Brazilian moving to Manchester in a £48 million plus £2 million deal. The Mail reports that Palmer was not involved in talks whenever officials from both clubs, including Chelsea sporting director Paul Winstanley and United director of football Jason Wilcox, spoke.
That may surprise some people given reports that United wanted Palmer and the player was keen on moving there. It is believed he 'missed' Manchester and thought he belonged in the Champions League.
Palmer's strong start and Santos message
However, Palmer has since remained at Chelsea through a transitional summer, with Xabi Alonso becoming the club's new manager, and he has started the current campaign in strong form. As well as earning a recall to the England squad after missing the summer's World Cup, Palmer has scored four goals and added three assists in 10 appearances across all competitions.
Meanwhile, Santos has struggled at the start of his United career, but after his move to the Reds he received a message from former Chelsea teammate Palmer.
"I'm so excited to be here," Santos told MUTV at the time. "So pleased. I got a message from Cole [Palmer], he sent a message because he was born here [Manchester], so he knows everything here. He said all the best for you, for your career, you deserve this, a lot of things. So I'm so excited to be here in Manchester with my new teammates."
Future move possible
Although Palmer signed a new Chelsea contract earlier this month to keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2034, a move to United could materialise in the future. He is set to face the Reds in the Premier League on Saturday, as Carrick prepares to take his side to west London.
