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.

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.

Tottenham are set to enter the market to sign a third midfielder in the summer transfer window, but two of their current crop could head through the exit door.

It’s already been an incredibly busy summer transfer window for the North London club, but their business appears to be far from over.

Tottenham are still in the market for further reinforcements as they look to bolster Roberto De Zerbi’s options.

I suppose I’ve already brought in Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes in the middle of the park, but we could see them add another midfielder before the deadline.

Spurs appear keen to completely overhaul their squad, offloading a load of their current stars while bringing in new ones.

Tottenham eye third midfielder

via Reuters

According to a top Tottenham source, Tottenham are ready to enter the market for a third midfielder in the summer transfer window, but it could see two of them head through the exit door.

Lucas Bergvall is still expected to leave the club, and Pape Matar Sarr is also expected to go, with an interested club set to step up their interest soon.

Tottenham’s business has slowed down slightly in recent weeks, but that’s perhaps due to the fact that they still need to offload some of their stars.

Departures could see Tottenham’s business sparking to life once again, and that appears to be the case in midfield.

Third midfielder options for Tottenham

via Reuters

It is unclear who the third midfielder option for Tottenham could be, but they have been linked with a move to sign Bournemouth’s Alex Scott in the summer transfer window.

The English midfielder is believed to be a Tottenham supporter, and Spurs are one of the sides who are showing an interest in securing his signature.

Scott is believed to be interested in a move to Stamford Bridge to join Chelsea. It would be interesting to see if anything changes if Spurs firm up their interest.

Bournemouth are keen to keep Scott at the club heading into next season, and they are willing to offer him a new contract to tempt him to remain with the South Coast club.