Best to replace Bruno - Former Liverpool star names Palmer as perfect successor

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has identified Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer as a possible long-term replacement for Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United, should the Red Devils captain leave Old Trafford at the end of the season.

Murphy’s comments come amid intensifying speculation over the futures of both players, with Fernandes linked to a lucrative move away from the Premier League and Palmer reportedly unsettled in London.

Palmer’s situation at Chelsea has attracted widespread attention in recent days after the England international admitted he misses his friends in Manchester and is not fully settled in the capital. Those remarks have fueled speculation about a move to Manchester United, a club with which he has long-standing ties due to his Manchester roots.

The 22-year-old is a graduate of Manchester City’s academy and still maintains strong connections in the North, leading some fans to believe a return to the city could be possible in the near future.

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At the same time, Bruno Fernandes has been tipped for a potential exit from Manchester United, with reports suggesting serious interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia keen to lure the Portuguese midfielder away with a lucrative offer.

Speaking to BestBettingSites.co.uk, Murphy said Palmer possesses the quality and profile required to step into Fernandes’ role at Old Trafford.

“The way football works, if you’re a player of that quality, and you’ve always had a love for a particular club, it’s not a huge stretch to imagine things lining up,” Murphy said.

He added, “A lot of Chelsea fans think the club is more of a business than a football project, so could I see Cole Palmer leaving for Manchester United? Yes, I could. I wouldn’t want it to happen, but I could see it. Bruno Fernandes needs a successor.”

Despite the growing rumours, Murphy acknowledged that Chelsea remains in a strong position due to Palmer’s long-term contract at Stamford Bridge.

“They’ve got him under a long-term contract, so they can keep him either way. But qualifying for the Champions League would make it much easier to quieten the noise around other clubs trying to get him. It would definitely help,” he explained.

Adding another layer to the saga, Manchester City are reportedly keeping a close watch on developments, with suggestions that the Premier League champions would be open to bringing Palmer back to the Etihad Stadium if the opportunity arises.