Former Premier League star Carlton Palmer insists Chelsea would never have sold striker Tammy Abraham to Arsenal in the summer transfer window.

The striker joined Italian club Roma from the Blues, as Thomas Tuchel looked to restructure his squad.

Chelsea, of course, secured the signing of Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan, paying £97.5m to bring the Belgium international back to Stamford Bridge.

Abraham, as a result, was pushed even further down the pecking order, and he has subsequently been allowed to move to Italy to link up with Jose Mourinho in Rome.

He was also linked with a potential move within the Premier League, as both Arsenal and West Ham United were said to hold an interest in the forward.

But Palmer believes that Chelsea were always likely to send him to a club abroad, rather than allowing him to strengthen a rival, particularly Mikel Arteta’s side.

Speaking to Football FanCast, Palmer said: “I’m pleased the guy went and played his football. I don’t think Chelsea would have let him go to Arsenal, out of choice because of the rivalry and so forth.

“For Chelsea, from the club’s point of view, they’re happy for him to go abroad. I’m pleased for Tammy.”