William Gallas says Cole Palmer will eventually join Manchester United, although the former France defender does not expect the Chelsea forward to leave this summer.
Palmer’s future has again become the subject of speculation following Gallas’ comments to iPredicta. The former defender believes a move to Old Trafford is “a matter of time” if Palmer’s reported affection for Manchester United and desire to play for the club remain strong.
“I don’t think Palmer will leave now, the timing is not right,” Gallas said. “But if he is a passionate United fan and dreams of playing there, he will definitely move to them in the future.”
Gallas added that Palmer must first rediscover his best form and produce another outstanding campaign with Chelsea.
“I think he needs to deliver another special season with Chelsea, as he did two years ago before his injury, and after that the move could happen,” he said.
The comments come after a difficult season for Chelsea, who failed to qualify for any European competition. That outcome has revived earlier reports claiming Palmer had begun to feel homesick for Manchester and was interested in returning to the city after moving to London.
Chelsea’s management denied those reports at the start of the year, attempting to end suggestions that Palmer’s time at Stamford Bridge could be coming to an end.
Palmer, 23, joined Chelsea from Manchester City in the summer of 2023 for £42.5m. He had spent 13 years in Manchester City’s academy before making the move, while he has also been known as a Manchester United supporter since childhood.
Gallas’ prediction coincided with comments from Brazilian midfielder Andre Santos, who has recently joined Manchester United and revealed that Palmer sent him a message after his move to Old Trafford was completed.
Santos signed a five-year contract worth £48m, with a further £2m available in add-ons. He said Palmer contacted him because of his own Manchester background and knowledge of the city.
“I received a message from Cole as soon as I moved,” Santos said. “He sent it because he was born in Manchester and knows everything here.”
“He said to me: all the best in your career, you deserve this, I’m very excited to be here with my new team-mates.”
Santos had insisted on leaving Chelsea in search of a regular first-team opportunity. His move means Palmer has another former Chelsea player at Manchester United, although there is currently no indication that the England international is close to following the same path.
Gallas’ remarks therefore represent a prediction about Palmer’s longer-term future rather than an indication of an imminent transfer. The former France international believes the timing is not right for a move this summer, but considers a future switch to Manchester United likely if Palmer can deliver another standout season and continues to dream of playing for the club he supported as a child.
