Chelsea’s ‘fantastic’ star Cole Palmer has been tipped for a stunning move to Spanish side Real Madrid ahead of the January transfer window.
Palmer, who mainly operates as an attacking midfielder, has conjured up 45 goals and 29 assists in 101 games for the west London club to date.
The 23-year-old England international is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2033 and it seems unlikely Chelsea would consider selling the player.
But former Spain international Alvaro Negredo is convinced Palmer, valued at €120m (£105m) by Transfermarkt, will join La Liga giants Real Madrid.
‘I see Cole Palmer at Real Madrid’
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‘Cole Palmer is a fantastic player,’ Negredo told CoinPoker. ‘Chelsea are a great team but the truth is I do see him at Real Madrid.
‘I see him at Real Madrid because he’s a player with incredible qualities. He has dribbling, finishing, strength, and physicality.
‘I think he’s a player that, at a global level, every team will want to have. Surely from now until the end of the season, or in two years, Madrid or another team will be trying to make that signing.’
Chelsea paid Manchester City £42.5m to sign Palmer from Manchester City in the summer of 2023 and he has shined since joining the Blues.
In 2024, he was crowned Premier League Young Player of the Season, England’s Men’s Player of the Year and Chelsea Player of the Season.
In 2025, Palmer helped Chelsea win the Conference League and Club World Cup, being awarded the Golden Ball at the latter competition.
City boss Pep Guardiola previously revealed that was gutted to lose Palmer and had begged the player to stay at the Etihad before he joined Chelsea.
‘He was asking for two seasons to leave and I said, ‘No! Stay! Stay!’ – but he said, ‘No – I want to leave’ – what could we do?’ Guardiola said.
‘Playing that level [he is now] is exceptional. He’s an exceptional player. I didn’t give the minutes that maybe he deserved.’
Palmer was nominated for the 2025 Ballon d’Or and finished eighth overall – the highest ranked English player – above the likes of Vinicius Junior.
Former Chelsea star Gus Poyet recently claimed that Palmer could land the Ballon d’Or if he moved to Real Madrid.
Palmer has missed Chelsea’s last two Premier League games – against Brighton and Liverpool – due to a groin injury.
Chelsea are back in action on October 18 as they face a trip to Nottingham Forest.