'I've heard his name a lot' - Man United 'keeping a close eye' on Cole Palmer after Xabi Alonso comments

Manchester United are keeping a close eye on Cole Palmer's situation at Chelsea and will be ready to pounce if he is made available.

The 24-year-old endured a difficult season at Stamford Bridge last time out, leading to his exclusion from England's World Cup squad and doubts about his future.

While he is not expected to leave Chelsea any time soon, Man United are watching closely and believe that they could tempt him to move to Old Trafford one day.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that while it is highly unlikely that a deal for Palmer will take place this summer, he is a long-term target.

Following the appointment of Xabi Alonso as Chelsea manager, all eyes will be on Palmer to see if he can step up last season's displays and become a crucial player again.

This comes as the boss clarified his stance on the midfielder's future in his first press conference, insisting he is a "special player" who he plans to build his team around.

Could Man United make a move to sign Cole Palmer?

Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider in April that Man United have a serious interest in Palmer and would be willing to do a deal with Chelsea at the right price.

Alonso's comments on Palmer may come as a blow to his potential suitors, but with a deal always having been unlikely to take place this summer, the interest is unlikely to fade.

Man United are set to keep tabs on the player who grew up in Manchester as a boyhood fan of the Red Devils, with the belief that he could one day be lured back to the club.

"One name I have heard quite often at Man United is Cole Palmer," Brown told Football Insider.

"He's a Manchester lad, a boyhood Man United fan, and it still atsonishes me how they let him slip through their fingers when he went to Man City as a schoolboy.

"But that interest is still there from United, and they've been keeping a close eye on his situation at Chelsea since his move.

"I don't expect it to happen now, I don't think it's something they're neccessarily working on or planning for, but if he was to become available, they will be one of the suitors.

"It might depend on what the new manager has planned for him, if he's going to be a big part of his plans or if he has another difficult season like he did last time.

"So again, they'll be keeping a close eye on things just in case something changes and they feel they can make it happen, if not now, then in the future."

Could Chelsea be willing to sell Palmer in the future?

Despite Alonso's high praise for Palmer and plans to use him as a key part of his side, there have been suggestions that the attacking midfielder could be allowed to leave Chelsea.

A number of Blues fans have previously suggested that Clearlake Capital are lining Palmer up to be sold as they continue with plans to raise funds through major sales.

Meanwhile, former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson previously told Football Insider that Chelsea could cash in on Palmer in an attempt to ease their financial concerns.

It is believed a record fee of around £130million could be enough to prise him away from Stamford Bridge, although there are currently no clubs willing to make a move.

Should Man United opt to step up their interest in the near future, it would have to be a very good offer to tempt their rivals to sell.