Cole Palmer transfer news: Chelsea view England international as 'untouchable' amid reported links to Man Utd

Chelsea consider Cole Palmer "untouchable" amid links with Manchester United.

Palmer is contracted until 2033 and is seen as a key player in the club's future.

Recent reports have suggested the England international was feeling unsettled in London and was open to a move to Manchester United in order to return to the north west, but Chelsea believe the player is happy at Stamford Bridge - as does head coach Liam Rosenior.

Asked if Palmer is 'untouchable' and happy at the club, Rosenior replied: "Yes and yes. It's simple.

"Cole's an incredible player like [Moises Caicedo] sitting next to me and many players in the group.

"I'm not surprised at the timing [of the rumours]. A new manager comes in and all of a sudden there's people are [looking to] unsettle. It's not true. Cole's here, he's very happy and I can't wait to see him on the pitch.

"There's no reason for an assurance [from Chelsea's directors]. It's so unrealistic. It's come from nowhere, there's nothing in it. There's no reason to have the conversation, that's where I'm at.

"Cole is very happy. We've had numerous conversations with him on how we can make this team better, how he can improve and how I can help him - because he loves being here and he wants to be a Chelsea player.

"You can't stop speculation, but some speculation is so far from the truth, there's not point having any discussion about it."

Palmer's season has been hampered by injuries to his groin, toe and, most recently, thigh which caused him to miss Sunday's victory at Crystal Palace, but he returned to training on Tuesday ahead of their Champions League fixture at Napoli.

The 23-year-old has not provided an assist in the Premier League this season, scoring four goals in 12 league appearances, having netted 15 in 46 last term and providing 11 assists.

Palmer joined Chelsea from Manchester City in a £40m deal in 2023, and has scored 41 goals and made 20 assists across his 81 league appearances for the Blues.

Jacquet prefers Chelsea move

Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet has expressed a preference for joining Chelsea despite interest from multiple teams.

Talks are ongoing between Rennes and Chelsea about a deal for the 20-year-old French centre back.

Ideally, Rennes want to keep him until the summer and it is proving to be a difficult deal to complete, especially in January.

Clubs such as Bayern Munich and Liverpool are reported to be interested in buying the player in the summer.

Rennes want €65m (£56m) but Chelsea have so far been reluctant to match the asking price.

Chelsea have recalled centre back Aaron Anselmino from his loan at Borussia Dortrmund but it is not certain he will stay at Chelsea for the rest of the season.

Chelsea had five centre backs in their squad for their win at Crystal Palace on Sunday and they have AFCON winner Mamadou Sarr on loan at sister club Strasbourg. Two other Chelsea centre backs are out injured at the moment - Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo.

Other January centre back target options for Chelsea include Bournemouth's Marcos Senesi and Como's Jacobo Ramon.

Senesi, 28, is out of contract this summer but Bournemouth would be extremely reluctant to let him leave this month. He is set to have the option of moving to some of the biggest clubs in Europe in the summer.

Jacquet is highly rated by new Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior and played for Rennes when they beat Rosenior's Strasbourg side 4-1 in Ligue 1 in November.

Disasi exit expected

Axel Disasi is expected to leave Chelsea before the January transfer window closes.

Multiple clubs are interested in England, Germany, France and Italy, with West Ham an option. Fiorentina are considering a move for Disasi, according to Sky in Italy.

Disasi had previously been surplus to requirements under Enzo Maresca, but has been training with the first team since the arrival of Liam Rosenior.

Sterling expected to leave this month

Raheem Sterling and Chelsea are close to finding a solution in the next few days which will end the long-drawn-out stand-off between club and player.

Sterling has not played for Chelsea since May 2024 even though he has remained one of the club's best-paid players, earning a reported £325,000 a week.

He spent last season on loan at Arsenal but he has been training away from the first-team squad since last summer when a move away could not be agreed during the window.

Chelsea are now in talks with Sterling and his representatives and a solution is expected to be found before the window closes on Monday evening.

He has 18 months left on a contract which could cost Chelsea £25 million if he was to stay until it runs out in the summer of 2027.

Sterling does not want another loan deal so either a permanent deal will have to be arranged in the next few days or a compromise agreement reached whereby he would become a free agent.

Either way, it is expected he will no longer be a Chelsea player after Monday - although he would be well within his rights to stay until his contract runs out.

Sterling signed a five-year deal when Chelsea signed him from Manchester City in a £50 million deal in the summer of 2022.

The deal was done just two months after Chelsea had been bought by new American owners and during a window when co-owner Todd Boehly was acting as the club's interim sporting director.

Jorgensen to stay at Chelsea

Filip Jorgensen is expected to remain at Chelsea in this window.

Chelsea's second-choice goalkeeper has been the subject of interest this month from clubs in England, Germany and Turkey, who are keen to offer him more regular football, but Chelsea are reluctant to let the Dane leave before next Monday's deadline.

Chelsea signed Jorgensen from Villarreal for £20.7m in July 2024.

Jorgensen played 24 times for Chelsea last season, predominantly in cup competitions, and was key to their Conference League success, but has been limited to just eight appearances this season.

Jorgensen suffered an injury against Pafos last week and was not pictured at Chelsea training on Tuesday morning.

...