Man City ready to pay £125m for Chelsea star with 51-goal contribution as De Bruyne replacement

Manchester City are reportedly exploring a sensational move to bring Chelsea’s rising star, Cole Palmer, back to the Etihad, Soccernet.football reports.

The 22-year-old midfielder left City for Chelsea last year, but his remarkable form at Stamford Bridge has caught the attention of his former club once again.

According to reports from Voetbal24 as per TribalFootball, City see Palmer as a readymade replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, who has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr next year.

De Bruyne, now 33, has been a pivotal figure in Pep Guardiola’s squad, but with his potential departure looming, City are searching for a high-quality successor.

Palmer has been in scintillating form for Chelsea this season, contributing six goals and five assists in just seven Premier League appearances. Overall, he has 31 goals and 20 assists in 54 appearances for the Blues.

His performances have earned him widespread acclaim, including being named England’s Player of the Year for 2023-24 and winning the Premier League Player of the Month award for September.

Despite Palmer recently signing a new contract with Chelsea that ties him to the club until 2033, City are reportedly willing to break the bank to bring him back.

A fee of £125 million has been suggested as City look to tempt the Blues into selling their star midfielder. This would be a significant increase from the £40 million Chelsea paid to sign Palmer from City.

While the deal could face challenges due to Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, Manchester City are keen to secure Palmer’s return as they prepare for life after De Bruyne.

Whether Chelsea will be willing to part with their in-form midfielder remains to be seen, but the potential move is already generating considerable interest across the football world.