Cole Palmer the Hammer?! West Ham chief Karren Brady reveals deal was in place to sign 23-goal attacker from Man City 'before Chelsea swooped'

Palmer has been a revelation at Stamford Bridge since joining the Blues from City last summer. He has scored an impressive 23 goals in all competitions despite the London team's underwhelming season, marking a rapid rise to superstardom in the Premier League.

However, his career could have taken a different turn as West Ham vice-chairman Brady says the Hammers had made a bid for Palmer that was accepted by City. Sadly for the east London team, though, Chelsea nipped in and lured him away in a deal worth £42.5 million ($54m).

Brady wrote in The Sun: "From all the newsreels I’ve seen, Cole is as cool a dude in front of goal as Jimmy Greaves himself. Which is probably why David Moyes tried very hard to sign him. We even had a deal agreed with City until Chelsea swooped."

Palmer will hope to upset his former team on Saturday when Chelsea meet City in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday. The winner of the tie will go on to face either Manchester United or Coventry in the final at Wembley.