Rio Ferdinand has pleaded with Danny Welbeck to reject transfer interest from Chelsea and instead make a return to Manchester United.
Welbeck has emerged as a surprising name on Chelsea's transfer shortlist as they look to add experience to Xabi Alonso's squad. The Brighton striker only has one year left on his current contract and enjoyed the best goalscoring season of his Premier League career last campaign, with 13 goals in 37 appearances.
Reports suggest that Chelsea have held 'advanced talks' for Welbeck and the 35-year-old striker is 'keen' on pushing through a switch to Stamford Bridge. New Blues boss Alonso is also said to be a proponent of the move and adding a player of Welbeck's experience to the dressing room.
Ferdinand's plea
However, not everyone is in favour of the potential deal, with Ferdinand urging his former teammate to turn down a move to Stamford Bridge and instead return to United to work under Michael Carrick.
Reacting to news of Chelsea's interest in Welbeck on social media, Ferdinand pleaded: 'Welbs…. Ignore + come back home! Champions League football next season in Manchester.'
Welbeck scored 29 goals in 142 appearances for the Red Devils, having come through the club's academy. However, in 2014, former United manager Louis van Gaal made the decision to sell Welbeck, with the Englishman joining Arsenal for £16m.
And while his spell in north London proved frustrating due to persistent injury problems, Welbeck has proved a superb pick-up for Brighton after joining on a free transfer from Watford.
Previous interest from United
Reports from earlier this year suggested that Ruben Amorim had suggested bringing Welbeck back to Old Trafford before he was sacked as head coach in January. And speaking last season, former Red Devils captain Wayne Rooney said the club should have explored a move for the veteran striker.
'I absolutely love Daniel, I love him,' Rooney said on his BBC podcast in November. 'He's been such a good player in the Premier League. Man United should have brought him back because he scores goals and he works hard.'
'I think over the last couple of years I would have really liked to have him back. I think now United are going a different way and have hopefully turned a corner. But I would have wanted him back over the last few years. He seems settled at Brighton so I just hope he keeps scoring goals.'
