Rio Ferdinand urges Chelsea target to reject move and join Manchester United

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has asked striker Danny Welbeck, a Chelsea target, to return to Old Trafford, where he played for six seasons more than a decade ago.

Welbeck, 35, has been with Brighton & Hove Albion since the summer of 2020, having also had spells with Arsenal and Watford. The England international has been a solid if not spectacular performer for the Seagulls, netting 51 times in 201 games across competitions.

Welbeck is coming off successive 10-goal Premier League seasons, with his contract at the Amex running out next summer. Amid interest from the Blues, as per The Athletic football correspondent David Ornstein, Ferdinand has urged his former teammate to snub a move to Stamford Bridge and return to Old Trafford:

“Welbs…. Ignore + come back home! Champions League football next season in Manchester.”

Ferdinand played six seasons with Welbeck for the Old Trafford side, for whom Welbeck scored 29 times in 142 games across competitions between 2008 and 2014, winning two Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League.

He played twice in the 2014-15 league campaign before moving to Arsenal, with whom he won two FA Cup titles and the Super Cup.

What’s the latest on Chelsea’s pursuit of former Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck?

Chelsea are reportedly in talks with Brighton & Hove Albion to snap up former Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck, who’s approaching the final year of his contract with the Seagulls.

As per football.london (via Yahoo Sport), the two clubs have initiated discussions as new Blues boss Xabi Alonso seeks a reliable option like Welbeck off the bench, who’s coming off a 14-goal campaign with Brighton last season. He scored 13 times in the Premier League, marking his most prolific campaign in the competition, where he has netted 90 times in 400 games for five different clubs.

Welbeck didn’t hit double figures in his first 17 seasons in the Premier League before scoring 10 in 2024-25 and 13 a year later. His previous best was two nine-goal campaigns for United (2011-12 and 2013-14). With 46 goals, the Chelsea target is Brighton’s most prolific scorer in the English top flight, where he has also registered 32 assists.