‘We tried to bring him in’: Roberto De Zerbi reveals failed bid for Chelsea star

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed that the club wanted to sign Cole Palmer last summer before he left Manchester City to join Chelsea.

Cole Palmer has been a sensation at Chelsea scoring 24 goals and laying off assists for his teammates. Though Chelsea have failed to impress all season, Cole Palmer has been nominated for the Premier League player of the season.

With Chelsea set to face Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday night, Roberto De Zerbi revealed how his team tried to sign Palmer before he joined Chelsea.

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – MAY 11: Cole Palmer of Chelsea in action during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Chelsea FC at City Ground on May 11, 2024 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Speaking at a press conference the day before Brighton host Chelsea in the Premier League, De Zerbi said: “We tried to bring him in the transfer market last summer. We thought he could be a top player. The qualities of Palmer are clear for everybody, but not when he played for Manchester City. This season he is playing very well, he is scoring a lot of goals.”

Cole Palmer might have not joined Brighton but Chelsea have a reputation for pinching both players and staff from the Seagulls.

Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella and Robert Sanchez have made the switch from the south coast to west London in the last couple of years for a combined £202 million ($254m).

In addition, manager Graham Potter endured an ill-fated spell at Stamford Bridge after being poached from Brighton, while co-sporting director Laurence Winstanley was also lured across.

As of the last few days, Sam Jewell has completed a period of gardening leave at Brighton and is now starting work as Chelsea’s director of global recruitment.