Brighton targeting permanent move for Manchester City treble-winner despite club stance

Cole Palmer is wanted by Brighton on a permanent deal, with Manchester City currently willing to allow the forward to only leave on loan.

The 21-year-old is expected to be allowed to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer in search of regular first-team minutes after making just seven starts for Manchester City last season.

Palmer recently helped England to U21 European Championship glory, with the Manchester City player’s deflected free-kick the only goal of a fierce final against Spain in Georgia.

The Englishman featured on 25 occasions for Pep Guardiola’s side during the treble-winning campaign, although the forward scored just one goal, against Burnley in the Emirates FA Cup quarter-finals at the Etihad Stadium in March.

Palmer started against both Chelsea and Brentford towards the end of the Premier League season, but struggled to kick on after being handed his full Premier League debut against Everton in 2021.

Three English clubs and a number of Bundesliga sides have emerged as potential suitors to sign the 21-year-old on loan this summer, with Brighton currently in pole position to sign the Manchester City winger.

Vincent Kompany’s Burnley and Leicester City, who are managed by Enzo Maresca, are both interested in signing the forward on loan this summer.

The Seagulls had looked set to bring Palmer to the AMEX Stadium on a season-long loan, however Andy Naylor at The Athletic reports that Brighton are now interested in signing the England U21 international permanently.

Brighton would ‘rather’ sign Palmer on a permanent deal, however Manchester City are widely claimed to be keen to only allow the 21-year-old to leave on loan.

Loan deals in search of regular first-team opportunities proved a success for Tommy Doyle and James McAtee at Sheffield United last season, with the latter currently on pre-season tour with Manchester City and expected to be involved with the first-team for the upcoming campaign.

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