Manchester United reportedly rejects Mateta again, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe pleased by Palmer’s performance! The truth behind the Palmer transfer rumors revealed

According to British media, Jean-Philippe Mateta’s agent from Crystal Palace has invited Manchester United to sign him in January, as the French striker wants to leave Selhurst Park. However, under Carrick’s management, the team has shown no concrete interest so far. After choosing Sheshko in the summer window, the Red Devils may once again turn down Mateta’s advances.

Mateta has expressed his desire to leave Crystal Palace, and if a move to Manchester United is not possible, he prefers joining a Champions League club. His contract runs until 2027, and it is said that a January transfer would cost between £35 million and £40 million. Nottingham Forest reportedly made an offer, willing to double his current weekly wages, but Mateta is reluctant to join a relegation-threatened side. Aston Villa, Juventus, and AC Milan are also potential suitors.

Last year, Manchester United opted to sign 22-year-old Sheshko for €85 million instead of 28-year-old Mateta. After the expensive transfer, Sheshko’s performance has been underwhelming. He found form under Darren Fletcher, scoring 3 goals in two matches, but in Carrick’s first game in charge, the Slovenian striker was left on the bench.

Sheshko might again be a substitute in the Manchester United vs Arsenal match, but the club has no doubts about him. Although stats show Sheshko scored 4 Premier League goals at an average of one every 260 minutes, his efficiency surpasses Arsenal’s number 9, Ødegaard, who has 5 goals but scores once every 270 minutes.

Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team believe that although Sheshko is more expensive than Ødegaard, he is five years younger and still has his peak ahead. Naturally, Arsenal manager Arteta disagrees: “We believed Viktor (Ødegaard) was the best choice at the time. It’s too early to judge now; we will evaluate at the season’s end. Also, we don’t assess players based on a single aspect of the game but consider multiple factors.”

Over the weekend, rumors surfaced that Chelsea star Cole Palmer is unhappy with life in London and misses his hometown friends, considering a return to Manchester. His former club Manchester City and his boyhood favorite Manchester United are naturally the two main options for his next move.

However, Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano stated: “There are rumors in England that Palmer wants to return to Manchester and might join Manchester United. But before the summer window, Palmer definitely won’t leave Chelsea. No moves will happen in January; currently, Chelsea’s stance is clear. They see Palmer as an indispensable part of their plans and do not want him to leave.”

Romano added: “Today, head coach Liam Rosenior clearly stated in a press conference that Palmer is a key figure in the long-term development plan. He said: ‘I have spoken to Cole multiple times, and he is very happy here.’ At this stage, Chelsea is not worried about Palmer’s situation. Obviously, rumors will always exist, but so far, there has been no substantial development, and Chelsea still holds high hopes for Palmer.”

Palmer has been a Manchester United fan since childhood and remains friends with the Red Devils’ rising star Kobe Meno. Previously, British media fabricated rumors about Meno joining Chelsea, but after Carrick took charge, the story reversed. Palmer’s behavior in last week’s match against Brentford also sparked gossip: he scored a penalty but didn’t celebrate and left quickly after the game.

However, Chelsea’s new coach Rosenior insists Palmer is just emotionally down after a long-term injury absence. This season, he has suffered two groin strains and a toe fracture, and his thigh still hurts.

“He plays a crucial role in our long-term plans. My responsibility, along with the club’s, is to create an environment where he can consistently perform at his best. His low spirits in the Brentford match were not due to unhappiness at Chelsea but because he was dissatisfied with his own performance. He feels frustrated as he cannot maintain a high level for the club consistently. We must take care of him, which is why I didn’t field him in the Champions League match.”

Chelsea extended Palmer’s contract by two years in summer 2024, now running until 2033! Therefore, as long as the Blues don’t want to sell, Palmer will stay. Reportedly, Chelsea values him at £130 million. Manchester United’s target this year is to rebuild their defensive midfield, not the attacking midfield position Palmer occupies.