William Gallas believes it is inevitable that Chelsea star Cole Palmer will join Manchester United.
United have long-standing interest in Palmer, who has established himself as one of the best players in the Premier League since his £40m move to Stamford Bridge.
Manchester City decided to sell Palmer in 2023 and have watched the 24-year-old playmaker develop into one of the biggest names in European football.
Palmer finished his first season at Chelsea with 27 goals and 15 assists, more goal involvements than any other player in the Premier League.
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Fitness issues and a slight dip in form meant Palmer failed to hit those numbers in his next two seasons in west London, but he has still contributed 29 goals for Chelsea since his breakout season.
Palmer was tentatively linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge last season, with reports suggesting he was frustrated and unsettled at Chelsea.
At the time Manchester United and Manchester City were both linked with moves for Palmer, although Chelsea indicated they viewed the England international as one of the ‘untouchable’ members of the squad.
But former Premier League defender Gallas believes it is a matter of when not if Palmer joins the club he supported growing up, Man United.
‘I don’t think Cole Palmer will go right now. I don’t think it’s time to go right now,’ Gallas told iPredicta.
‘He will definitely go to Manchester United in the future if he’s a big fan, if he’s got a dream to play for Man United, he will definitely go there, but right now I don’t think so.
‘I think he needs to have one more big season as he did two years ago, before he got his injury problem, then he might move.’
Ex-Chelsea defender Wayne Bridge can also envisage Palmer moving to Manchester United.
‘It probably makes sense for Cole Palmer because he’s a Man United fan,’ Bridge told 10bet. ‘But personally, I don’t know him, so I wouldn’t know what he’s thinking.
‘It might make sense for Manchester United – every club would love to take Cole Palmer – but it doesn’t make sense for Chelsea. As an ex-Chelsea player, I’d be gutted if he went there.
‘I’d have a word with him and say, “Look, remember what happened to Mason Mount — come on now, don’t go anywhere.”
‘He’s the main man at Chelsea. Chelsea wants to build the team around Cole Palmer.’
Chelsea finished just 10th in the Premier League last season, failing to qualify for any European competition.
They are expected to greatly improve under new manager and football icon Xabi Alonso, who was appointed following Liam Rosenior’s sacking.
Manchester United, meanwhile, climbed to third under Michael Carrick, finishing just seven points behind local rivals Man City and and 14 adrift of champions Arsenal.
Chelsea begin the Premier League campaign against west London rivals Fulham, while Carrick’s United visit newly-promoted Hull City.
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