Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand has reacted after shock news emerged on Monday afternoon that Chelsea were exploring a move for Brighton & Hove Albion star, Danny Welbeck.

Ever since BlueCo took charge of Chelsea in 2022, the Blues have adopted a strict policy of signing young players in the hope that they can increase their value and sell them off for a profit. Very few players have been signed over the age of 25.

While the policy has worked from a financial point of view, it has not helped them on the pitch. Partly due to a lack of experience, Chelsea finished 10th in the 2025/26 season, missing out on European football altogether. Many fans of the club have grown frustrated with their transfer activity and believe it is holding the club back.

Following their struggles last season and following the appointment of Xabi Alonso, it appears they have changed their transfer policy. The Athletic’s David Ornstein has reported that Chelsea are interested in signing Welbeck this summer.

It is said that Welbeck appeals to Alonso as a player and a leader, and that there is optimism from both sides that a deal can be struck.

Welbeck, now 35 years old, has been in fine scoring form in recent years. He recorded his best season in front of goal in 2025/26 as he scored 13 times in 37 Premier League matches.

Rio Ferdinand Reacts to Chelsea’s Interest in Danny Welbeck

Man United have shown interest in Welbeck in the past few years. In the 2024 summer transfer window, Erik ten Hag reportedly explored a move to bring him back to Old Trafford.

Ferdinand is desperate for United to rekindle their interest and launch a move for their academy graduate. Taking to social media, the Man Utd legend wrote:

Welbeck, who has been capped 42 times by England, joined Man Utd at the age of 8. He progressed through their academy and made his debut for the first team in 2008. He played 142 times for the club, scoring 29 times and helping the club to six trophies, before departing for Arsenal in 2014.

United are currently fairly light in the striker position. Benjamin Sesko, who signed for the club in a £73.7m move last summer, is currently their first-choice. Joshua Zirkzee serves as his backup, while Bryan Mbuemo and Matheus Cunha can also play centrally if needed.

Welbeck Isn’t Only Veteran Chelsea Are Interested In

REUTERS/David Klein

Welbeck isn’t the only player over the age of 30 that Chelsea are interested in signing. They explored a move for Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka earlier in the summer, but the Black Cats refused to let their star man leave.

After missing out on Xhaka, Chelsea appear to have turned their attention to signing Jordan Henderson, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Romano wrote on X on Monday evening: “Chelsea lead race to sign Jordan Henderson as new midfielder, another surprise for #CFC.

“Henderson can leave Brentford on a free transfer and Chelsea are ahead in race with two more clubs for England international. Former Liverpool midfielder, open to the move.”

They were also interested in signing John Stones on a free transfer following his departure from Manchester City, but it appears he is on the verge of joining Inter Milan.

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe have been beaten to another 2026 World Cup award, FIFA have confirmed.

Messi and Mbappe were the frontrunners to win the coveted World Cup Golden Ball award but eventually lost out to Rodri after Spain beat Argentina in the final on July 19.

Now the Argentina and France superstars have lost out in the battle for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Goal of the Tournament award.

Messi scored several stunning goals during the tournament. The 39-year-old’s exquisite touch and first-time finish against Cape Verde was magnificent, as was his instinctive strike against Egypt that cannoned in off the underside of the crossbar.

Mbappe, who claimed the World Cup Golden Boot award after scoring 10 goals during the tournament, also wowed the crowds in North America with several moments of individual brilliance. Both players are among the contenders for the 2026 Ballon d’Or award.

​​​​​​​FIFA Reveal 2026 World Cup Goal of the Tournament

REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

However, the Goal of the Tournament award has been handed to Sidny Lopes Cabral, whose sensational strike in Cape Verde’s 3-2 defeat to Argentina claims the prize.

FIFA confirmed via their website: “Sidny Lopes Cabral’s stunner for Cabo Verde against Argentina in the Round of 32 has been voted the Hyundai Goal of the Tournament for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Cabral said: “The moment I dribbled past my opponent, I saw an opening and thought, ‘Let’s have a go’. I shoot well with both feet. I saw the space and was eyeing the top corner. I aimed there and struck the ball really well.

“When I looked up and saw it heading for that top corner, I thought, ‘What the hell did I just do?’ I couldn’t believe it. I looked at my team-mates – everyone was screaming, hands on their heads, overjoyed.

The 23-year-old full-back, who has completed a move from Benfica to Trabzonspor, added: “Before the game, I’d told my mom and my girlfriend that if I scored, I’d run over to them. When I got there, I saw my mom crying; she hadn’t even realised I was right there. Everyone was busy tending to her because she had fainted when I scored!

“After the game, I got a message from [Real Madrid and Brazil legend] Marcelo. He’s one of my biggest idols. I always admired him. He’s a left-back, plays with both feet, and had great technique.

“He told me he voted for my goal as the best of the tournament! I replied, ‘Thank you so much! I don’t know how to thank you. I’m so excited and honoured that you saw me play.’ And he said, ‘It was a pleasure watching you play; you’re really good.’ I was just like, ‘My word!’ I couldn’t believe it when I got his message.”

Liverpool must sell one of their current stars in order to fund a move for PSG forward Bradley Barcola this summer.

The Reds have been heavily linked to signing a new winger in the summer transfer window, with Barcola identified as a key target for the Merseyside club.

Liverpool are in the market to replace Mohamed Salah, who left the club on a free transfer earlier in the window.

Replacing his goals in the side certainly won’t be easy, especially as they were unable to get a transfer fee for him.

Barcola could be that long-term option for the Reds, but they may be forced to sell one of their current players in order to fund a move.

Liverpool must sell to buy Barcola

Gonzalo Fuentes via Reuters

According to a report from journalist Marc Mechenoua, Liverpool must sell forward Cody Gakpo before they are able to make a move to sign PSG winger Barcola.

Gakpo is currently earning £250,000 a week at Anfield, so offloading him in the summer transfer window would be financially beneficial for Liverpool.

The Reds are also believed to be looking to make way in the squad for young winger Rio Ngumoha, clearly hoping to overhaul their forward options.

Barcola an upgrade on Gakpo

If Liverpool can offload Gakpo for a reasonable fee in the summer transfer window and replace him with Barcola, that would certainly be a net positive for the Reds.

The PSG winger is undoubtedly an upgrade on Gakpo, especially when you take into account his potential.

Gakpo has struggled with consistency since his move to Liverpool, and Barcola is more capable of playing on both sides.

How much Liverpool could receive in terms of a transfer fee for Gakpo remains to be seen, but either way, cashing in on him makes sense given his wages too.

It’s still going to be a difficult deal for them to bring Barcola to the club, but they appear willing to give it a go.