We Were So Close to Signing Him!” – Manchester United Coach Reveals How Cole Palmer Slipped Away! 🚨 “I know Cole Palmer’s family well, and we were really close to getting him at Manchester United,” a former coach has revealed. Palmer, a die-hard United fan, was on the verge of joining his boyhood club—but something happened at the last minute that changed everything! Why did United fail to sign him? How did Manchester City convince him to stay? And could he have been United’s next big star instead of shining for Chelsea now?

Cole Palmer: The Transfer That Almost Brought Him to Manchester United

Cole Palmer has quickly risen to stardom in the Premier League since making his switch to Chelsea in 2023. However, his career path could have taken a very different direction had Manchester United successfully signed him during his early years. Former United academy coach Colin Little recently revealed that the club came remarkably close to securing Palmer’s signature—but ultimately, the move never materialized.

Palmer’s journey began at Manchester City’s youth academy, where he honed his skills and fought for a spot in the first team. Despite his immense talent, breaking into Pep Guardiola’s senior squad was always going to be a tough challenge due to the fierce competition. Eventually, Chelsea capitalized on the situation, signing him for £40 million—a decision that has proven to be a masterstroke for both the club and the player.

Since arriving at Stamford Bridge, Palmer has been nothing short of sensational. With 39 goals and 22 assists in 78 appearances, he has cemented himself as one of the league’s most exciting talents. This season alone, he has already netted 14 goals and provided seven assists in 28 Premier League games. But before making his mark at Chelsea, Palmer was on the verge of donning the red of Manchester United.

How United Almost Signed Palmer

According to Colin Little, United was in serious talks to sign Palmer when he was just 16 years old. Speaking on The Athletic’s Talk of the Devils podcast, Little revealed that discussions were advanced, and Palmer himself was open to the idea of switching clubs.

“I’ve known Cole Palmer’s family for years, and back when he was 16, we were very close to bringing him to United,” Little explained.

At that stage, Palmer was eligible to leave City’s academy, and United saw an opportunity to lure him away. The young midfielder was reportedly a huge United fan, which further strengthened the club’s belief that they could convince him to make the move.

“He was really considering it. City hadn’t fully decided what to do with him at that point, and it was an open discussion,” said Little.

Why the Deal Fell Apart

Despite Palmer’s admiration for Manchester United, City ultimately convinced him to stay by presenting an offer he couldn’t refuse.

“In the end, City gave him a good enough offer, but the truth is, he was always a United supporter. It was a close call,” Little added.

United missed their chance, and while City managed to retain Palmer, they struggled to provide him with consistent first-team opportunities. This led to Chelsea swooping in years later, securing a player who is now one of their key attacking threats.

Had Palmer chosen United at 16, his career trajectory might have been entirely different. There’s no way to know if he would have developed into the same player he is today. Instead, his patience at City eventually led him to Chelsea, where he has thrived.

Palmer’s Impact at Chelsea

After missing Chelsea’s recent match against Arsenal and England’s international fixtures, Palmer has returned to full training—a significant boost for manager Enzo Maresca as the team prepares for a crucial showdown against Tottenham Hotspur.

For Manchester United fans, Palmer’s success raises the ultimate ‘what if’ question. Given his attacking prowess and creative ability, he could have been the kind of player United desperately needs right now. Instead, Chelsea reaps the rewards of a missed opportunity, proving how a single decision can change the course of a footballer’s career.

Would United have been a better fit for Palmer? Or was his journey meant to unfold the way it did?