Pep Guardiola has made his feelings clear on Cole Palmer as Man City 'plot British record bid for Chelsea star'

Cole Palmer is being linked with a shock move to his former club Manchester City with Pep Guardiola's side said to be readying a British record bid for the Chelsea star.

After coming through City's academy, Palmer joined Chelsea in 2023 for £42.5 million and has been one of the Premier League's best players ever since.

The 23-year-old has scored 43 goals and bagged 29 assists for Chelsea in 97 games, winning both the Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup last season.

Recently there were reports that Champions League winners Paris Saint Germain wanted to sign Palmer.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, the French giants were preparing a world record offer of €250 million, but no formal approach has yet been made.

Now the same publication are reporting that City could make a shock £147 million bid to bring Palmer back to the Etihad.

Pep Guardiola and Cole Palmer at Manchester City. (Image: James Gill - Danehouse / Contributor via Getty)

What does Pep Guardiola think about Cole Palmer?

Palmer's successful spell at Chelsea has led many critics to question Guardiola's decision to let him leave but the Spaniard has previously defended himself.

In April last year, Guardiola said: "He's an exceptional player.

"I said many times, I didn't give the minutes that maybe he deserved and now he has at Chelsea. I understand completely.

"He's a shy guy with a lot of potential. It is what it is. He's playing fantastic so what can I say? The decision has been made for many reasons.

"He was asking for two seasons to leave and I said stay. He said he wanted to leave.

"What could we do? I said stay because Riyad Mahrez is gone but for two seasons he wanted to leave."

Palmer began the 2024/25 season in astonishing form, including a four-goal haul against Brighton.

Cole Palmer led Chelsea to Club World Cup victory. (Image: Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos / Contributor via Getty)

But he struggled at times in the second half of the season to rediscover his top form and went on an 18-game goal drought.

He found top gear at the end of the campaign, however, and won man-of-the-match awards in both the Conference League and Club World Cup finals, helping Chelsea to two trophies.

Guardiola has continued to praise his former player since his departure from the Etihad.

Back in March, he said: "We knew the quality he has and the impact he has shown this season is enormous.

"It is not just goals and assists, it is the quality. He is an incredible threat for Chelsea. In the future you will not forget. It looks easy, but it's not."

Although Guardiola would surely love to have Palmer back at City, his Chelsea contract runs until 2033, so it would take a huge offer to prise him from Stamford Bridge.