Manchester City academy graduate Cole Palmer would ‘easily’ be worth up to £60 million if he was playing regularly, according to The Sun journalist Tom Barclay.

The highly-rated 20-year-old has struggled to force his way into Pep Guardiola’s first-team plans so far this season, but that has not detracted from his incredible potential.

What is the latest news involving Palmer?

A report from Barclay’s employers last month revealed that Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund were eager to take Palmer on a season-long loan prior to the transfer window closing.

However, Guardiola was eager for him to stay put and was quick to praise his ‘special quality’ after the England Under-21 international netted against Club Brugge in the Champions League last term.

“Cole has a special quality in front of the box, a talent that is difficult to find. When he has the ball there, most of the time it ends up in the net. It’s difficult to find that," said the 51-year-old tactician.

“I know how it works with young players. We have to be calm and patient. His position is the second team but at the same time he trains with us and works with our principles.”

Since then, Palmer has cemented his status in the senior squad, although he’s still started on just four occasions for his boyhood club.

What has Barclay said about Palmer?

Barclay has informed GiveMeSport that he believes if Palmer was at a club such as Everton where he would be guaranteed game time, then could demand a significant transfer fee.

He said: “Cole Palmer is fantastic. We we're talking about him yesterday actually, if he'd gone on loan, or if he was at Everton right now, I think he could easily be a sort of £50-60 million player if he played every week because he's that good, but obviously at City it's different.

“And with all the will in the world, he's not a player who’s going to start every week between now and the start of the World Cup.”

How good is Palmer?

Palmer, who has predominantly lined up as an attacking midfielder throughout his career, has racked up some eye-catching numbers for a variety of City’s youth sides.

The 6 foot 2 ace has registered 42 goals and 19 assists in 64 appearances for the reigning Premier League champions, highlighting his truly top-class potential.

Palmer will be hoping he can translate that success from the junior ranks onto the senior stage, and Guardiola’s record of developing young talent should give him reason to remain patient for his opportunity to shine.