Graeme Souness believes that Cole Palmer’s remarkable form for Chelsea could see his transfer value soar to a minimum of £150 million if a club like Real Madrid were to pursue him.
Palmer has emerged as a standout performer at Chelsea after joining from Manchester City last season.
Despite his immense potential at City’s academy, he struggled to secure a regular spot in Pep Guardiola’s first team.
While Phil Foden successfully transitioned from City’s youth system to become a key player for the senior squad, Palmer’s path was different.
Unable to make the same breakthrough, he decided to leave City and join Chelsea, one of their direct competitors.
Since moving to Stamford Bridge, Palmer has been in excellent form, leading Souness to suggest that if he maintains this level of performance, Real Madrid might be willing to pay a substantial sum for the 22-year-old.
Souness believes that City may have miscalculated in letting Palmer go, particularly given the rapid rise in his value since his transfer.
Writing in his Daily Mail column, Souness said, “City got it wrong by allowing Cole Palmer to move to Chelsea.
There were surely other players they could have sold instead.
Chelsea paid £40 million for Palmer, but if Real Madrid come calling next summer and Palmer keeps up this level of play, I wouldn’t be surprised if a £150 million offer is made for him.”
Palmer’s value has indeed increased significantly since his arrival at Chelsea, with transfer market estimates now suggesting that he could be worth more than three times what Chelsea originally paid.
This deal is quickly becoming one of the most shrewd pieces of transfer business seen in the Premier League in recent years, as Palmer’s stock continues to rise at an impressive rate.
For Chelsea, Palmer’s success represents a welcome reversal of fortune in their transfer dealings with young players.
In the past, the club has been criticized for letting talented youngsters go too soon, with stars like Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne becoming world-class players for other teams after leaving Chelsea.
This time, however, Chelsea seems to have taken advantage of a rare mistake by Manchester City, securing a player whose potential is now being fully realized.
As Palmer continues to make a name for himself at Chelsea, his performances are not only boosting his personal career trajectory but also reinforcing Chelsea’s growing reputation for smart transfer decisions.
The move is already being viewed as a masterstroke, with Palmer’s impact suggesting that City might come to regret their decision to part ways with him.
