The situation involving Manchester City and Cole Palmer has resurfaced after the FIFA Club World Cup final.
After scoring two goals and providing one assist as Chelsea defeated PSG 3-0 in the showpiece event, cementing his status as one of the best players on the planet, many are again questioning why Manchester City sold the England international.
Chelsea managed to secure Cole Palmer for just £42.5m back in September 2023.
Not only that, but Manchester City did not include a buyback clause in the deal, with The Athletic now sharing the reason for that decision.
Manchester City simply did not think Cole Palmer buyback clause was worth insisting on
The Athletic believe the Citizens opted not to insist on a buyback clause during negotiations with Chelsea, as those at the Etihad Stadium did not deem him to be “indispensable” at Manchester City.
Before his departure, Palmer had made just three Premier League starts under Pep Guardiola, so the stance on him not being “indispensable” stands out.
However, the City Football Academy graduate had just scored impressive goals in the UEFA Super Cup and the FA Community Shield before leaving, so his talent was undeniable, and should have led Manchester City to at least demand a buyback clause from Chelsea.
The Athletic add that Manchester City are now eager not to repeat this mistake when selling James McAtee – a target for Nottingham Forest this summer – and will insist on a buyback clause.
How much Cole Palmer is worth now as £42.5m deal looks a bargain
Dave Powell – Reach’s Chief Business of Football Writer – spoke to Football London after the FIFA Club World Cup final, where he claimed that Palmer is now worth between £150m and £200m following his heroics in the United States.
Richard Keys agrees with that valuation, as the beIN Sports presenter told Manchester City after the FIFA Club World Cup final: “Has Cole Palmer’s celebration got anything to do with being frozen out at City?
“What a shocking decision that was by Guardiola. The kid must be worth £200m now – priceless to Chelsea.”
Manchester City do not make many mistakes in the transfer market, but the sale of Palmer was undoubtedly a severe misjudgement.
