By Wayne Veysey

31st Aug, 2023 | 9:20am

Sources: Chelsea agree deal with Cole Palmer after late-night breakthrough

Chelsea have made an overnight breakthrough in talks with Man City to sign Cole Palmer, sources have told Football Insider.

The London club have agreed personal terms with the 21-year-old attacking midfielder and are in the final stages of agreeing a fee worth £40million plus £5m in add-ons.

City have indicated to Chelsea they are willing to accept their latest offer and knocking back an initial bid of £35m for Palmer.

Mauricio Pochettino has prioritised a new attacker signing after losing Christopher Nkunku to a long-term knee injury but the club had to first agree a deal for Romelu Lukaku.

With the forward headed to Roma on loan for the season, Pochettino has given his backing to Chelsea’s move for Palmer and a deal is now expected to be finalised by Friday’s 11pm transfer cut-off.

City have been open to offers for Palmer, who has already scored twice for the club this season in the Community Shield and Super Cup.

The midfielder’s current contract runs until 2026 after putting pen to paper on an extension following his step up from the Under-23s to the senior side.

Palmer has been part of City’s set up since he was seven years old and has progressed through the ranks.

Last term the Englishman made 25 appearances across all competitions and was in the starting lineup for just seven of those outings.

Palmer scored just one goal last term in their 6-0 FA Cup win over Burnley.

In other news, Chelsea accelerate on last-gasp striker signing after deal agreed.