Pep Guardiola has admitted that he is unsure whether Cole Palmer will stay at Manchester City beyond the summer transfer window.
The 21-year-old started and scored a crucial equaliser in Wednesday's UEFA Super Cup clash against Sevilla as the Citizens played out a 1-1 draw before beating their Spanish counterparts 5-4 on penalties.
Palmer also found the net in City's Community Shield loss to Arsenal earlier this month, and has become just the second player after Michael Owen back in 2001 to score in both competitions in the same year.
The academy graduate, who helped England win the European Under-21 Championships earlier this summer, is yet to establish himself as a first-team regular under Guardiola since making his senior debut in 2020, and only two of his 14 Premier League appearances last season were from the start.
However, Palmer has made a bright start to the new campaign and has made a case for further first-team involvement, especially with Riyad Mahrez having opted to seek pastures new in Saudi Arabia.
Palmer is currently one of four wide options at Guardiola's disposal along with Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva, but the Citizens are believed to be actively pursuing a new winger in the transfer market.
Indeed, Rennes star Jeremy Doku has emerged as one of City's top targets and a recent report claims that the 21-year-old has agreed personal terms over a five-year contract with the treble winners.
City's pursuit of Doku comes at a time when Palmer has been linked with a number of European clubs including Premier League duo West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Hammers are allegedly exploring the possibility of recruiting Palmer in part-exchange for Lucas Paqueta, who is another name high on City's wishlist this summer.
With speculation over Palmer's future rife, Guardiola has refused to rule out the prospect of City selling the youngster this summer, but he has ruled out a possible loan exit.
Speaking to reporters, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News, about Palmer after Man City's UEFA Super Cup win, Guardiola said: "I don't know [if he will stay]. When we arrived I had the opinion that he wanted to leave but now I don't know.
"I don't think a loan is going to happen. He's going to stay or he's going to be sold."
Discussig Palmer's performance against Sevilla, Guardiola added: "He showed character – it is not easy to play defenders like [Marcos] Acuna, a young player in these stages it's not easy. He played good and made a fantastic goal too.
Meanwhile, captain Kyle Walker has heaped praise on Palmer and believes that he will continue to improve under the tutelage of Guardiola.
"This guy is incredible," Walker told mancity.com. "He's got good players to learn off and we're under the best manager in the world.
"He needs to keep going and keep his feet on the floor which he does really well and keep scoring. If he keeps improving and listening to me behind him, he'll be fine."
Palmer, who has three years remaining on his contract at the Etihad Stadium, could be involved in Man City's next Premier League match at home against Newcastle United on Saturday night. body check tags ::
