Latest news with #Ferdinand
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Rio Ferdinand shows true colours with Liverpool comments: 'Exceptional and outrageous'
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has warned the rest of the Premier League that Liverpool's massive spending this summer means Arne Slot's side mean business in the upcoming season Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has warned that it would be "lights out" for the rest of the Premier League if Liverpool complete the signing of Alexander Isak. The ex-England star also eulogised over Liverpool's business this summer. Despite already securing the services of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, the Reds maintain an active interest in 25-year-old Swedish striker Isak, with the player having informed Newcastle that he would like to explore a move away from the club. Isak is not on their pre-season tour of Asia either as speculation over a huge switch to Anfield intensifies. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, however, has confirmed they are yet to receive any formal offers for Isak, but officials at St James' Park are said to be keen on RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko as they ramp up their search for a potential replacement. While a transfer for Isak remains in a state of flux, speaking on his podcast, Rio Presents, Ferdinand waxed lyrical over the Reds' activity this summer. Despite being an icon of Liverpool's greatest rivals, Ferdinand – rather than show any bias – couldn't help show his true colours as a football pundit and relay his real belief that Isak would help secure Arne Slot a second Premier League title on the spin. "Liverpool's transfer window has been nothing short of exceptional so far. It's been an outrageous transfer window, and if they get Isak – it's lights out for the Premier League," Ferdinand said. "They've got a squad there, they've got a hierarchy, they look stable, they look solid. It's gone too well and if they get Isak, it's over." Liverpool are hunting for attacking reinforcements, particularly with Luis Diaz poised to join Bayern Munich. Slot and club chiefs believe that Isak would suit their forward line perfectly and link up well with new signing Ekitike, who joined from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial £69 million last week. However, luring Isak away from St James' Park won't be straightforward, with the Magpies said to be demanding a whopping fee of up to £150 million to sell their prized asset, reports the Liverpool Echo. Newcastle have attributed Isak's continued absence to a minor thigh problem, having also omitted him from their squad for their pre-season clash away at Celtic. When quizzed about his star forward's future, Howe said: "He is still our player. He's contracted to us. We, to a degree, control what is next for him." Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group, have gone on a summer splurge, with nearly £300m spent so far. Former Red and prolific goalscorer Robbie Fowler reckons Isak would be the perfect finishing touch to a frenzied few months of activity. "As a Liverpool fan, we would all love to see him, wouldn't we," Fowler told The RedMen TV. "When you look at the Premier League and the goals he scored last year, the types of goals and his performances, he was phenomenal. Hopefully, he can carry that on, and hopefully it will be at Liverpool. "If you were to pick one player from the Premier League last year who you would have wanted to sign for Liverpool, he would probably be on 90 per cent of people's lips. We probably needed that pivotal striker on the pitch last season. He could be the difference if he were to come."
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Rio Ferdinand responds to Bruno Fernandes snubbing £300m offer – 'Are you mad?'
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has said he would have found it tough to turn down the money on offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal after Bruno Fernandes decided against a transfer Rio Ferdinand has heaped praise on Bruno Fernandes for rejecting the eye-watering sums on offer from the Saudi Pro League – whilst also questioning whether the star is "mad" for turning it down. The Manchester United captain was the subject of a failed approach from Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Hilal earlier this summer. Reports claimed that the club were armed with a £300million package to secure the star, with £100m heading to United and a remarkable £200m contract awaiting Fernandes himself. Ferdinand, whilst commending the Portuguese midfielder for his loyalty to United, couldn't resist sharing his amazement at the 30-year-old spurning the Saudi club's fortunes. When quizzed about what he would do when faced with such riches on his podcast, Rio Presents, the former United defender said: "I'm gone," prompting laughter from podcast colleagues Stephen Howson and Flex. Ferdinand then explained: "If I'm 25, I'm not [heading to Saudi Arabia]. Don't forget, in our era, China was about – I wouldn't have gone." Discussing the contrast between the appeal of the Saudi Pro League compared to the former influence once wielded by the Chinese Super League, he added: "In money terms, back then it [Chinese Super League] was [as persuasive as Saudi Arabia]. It's not in terms of location, but it wouldn't have even turned my head going [to] China. "But I'm sitting here now, my career is finished, and you look at things differently, and you're turning away £50m a year – I'm offski bruv, get me a lifejacket and I'm swimming there," he joked. When asked about his opinion on Fernades for rejecting the lucrative offer, Ferdinand responded: "I rate him, but are you mad? "I respect it so much and the fans will love him more. He's looking at legacy. We know that this guy [Fernandes] is now about legacy [and not the money]." Earlier in the summer, Ferdinand reiterated his sentiments, stating he would have understood if Fernandes had chosen to leave United. "I think he's in the game of wanting to give back after all he's received," Ferdinand said to Mirror Football. "So I've got nothing but respect for him. I would have understood him leaving if he left, 100%. If I was him, I think I'd have found it difficult to say no. I've got to be honest." During a press conference for his national team in early June, Fernandes disclosed that he rejected Al-Hilal's incredible offer after discussions with United manager Ruben Amorim. "It would have been easy to move there [Al Hilal]. I know the Portuguese players there very well," he admitted. "But I want to play at the highest level and compete for major titles. I can do that, and I still want to. I spoke to coach Amorim. He asked me not to go." Following United's loss in the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur, Fernandes was candid about his future with the club. He stated that he would leave the decision regarding his future to United officials, with the club considering selling several of their star players this summer after a disappointing season. "I have always been honest. I've always said I will be here until the club says to me that it's time to go," he said (via the Manchester Evening News). The 30 year old has been a key player for United, scoring 98 goals and providing 87 assists in 290 matches across all competitions since his transfer from Sporting CP in January 2020.
Metro
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Metro
'Worries me' - Rio Ferdinand reveals concern over Man Utd's £69m transfer target
Rio Ferdinand says he would be 'worried' about Benjamin Sesko's lack of Premier League experience should he join Manchester United and would rather see the club prioritise a move for Ollie Watkins. United have bolstered Ruben Amorim's misfiring attack by bringing in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo – from Wolves and Brentford respectively – for a combined transfer fee of over £133million this summer. But the Red Devils are determined to further strengthen with the addition of an out-and-out centre-forward before the transfer deadline following a disappointing season for both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee last term. Viktor Gyokeres had been identified as United's primary target on the back of another barnstorming campaign with Sporting, in which he scored 54 goals in 52 games, but the prolific Swede decided to turn down a switch to Old Trafford in favour of a move to Arsenal. Forced to go back to the drawing board and explore other avenues, the latest reports claim United have narrowed their search down to just two players, namely Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins and RB Leipzig attacker Sesko. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. While Nicolas Jackson has also been tentatively linked in recent weeks, United are understood to have been put off by Chelsea's asking price and have now ruled out a bid to sign the Senegal international. Weighing up the pros and cons of United's potential options up front, Ferdinand said on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel: 'If you get Watkins, you've got guaranteed 15-20 goals really and then you've got that with Cunha and you've got that with Mbeumo. 'Not completely guaranteed, but you've got double figures all the way up front. 'Bear in mind, we were 16th in terms of goals scored last season and these lot are getting you minimum 40 goals between them.' While Ferdinand is not writing off Sesko coming in and succeeding at the Theatre of Dreams, he believes the move would be far riskier than a deal for Watkins. Pointing to Hojlund's struggles since arriving in English football, Ferdinand said: 'The only difference is that Rasmus came in and had inexperience around him in terms of [Alejandro] Garnacho one side and Amad [Diallo] the other, for instance, most of the time. 'If Sesko comes in, he's got two players that have played Premier League, scored goals in the Premier League and backed up by Bruno [Fernandes] so I think it's a different dynamic that he comes into. 'But the uncertainty worries me a little bit. Can he adapt to this league?' Ferdinand continued: 'I wanted a striker with experience so he wouldn't be my first-choice, obviously, even now. 'But if Manchester United buy him and Newcastle go and get a number nine, does that mean [Alexander] Isak stays at Newcastle and Liverpool don't get Isak? 'Liverpool's transfer window has been nothing short of exceptional so far.' More Trending Ferdinand sypathises with United's current hierarchy, who he feels have been 'hampered by the past' when it comes to getting transfer deals over the line. 'They're hampered by the past,' the legendary ex-United and England defender went on. 'It's going to take time and it's one of the things [Omar] Berrada, Jason Wilcox and the manager will be really frustrated with, the goings on that happened before they got here are really hampering things in the recruitment area because of the high prices they've paid, the high wages they've paid. 'They've paid over the odds for most of these guys so it's difficult to move someone if he's on £200,000-a-week and his current value in the market is £100,000-a-week. Do you think he's going to go anywhere? I wouldn't.' MORE: Kai Rooney copies Viktor Gyokeres' trademark celebration after Arsenal beat Man Utd to marquee signing MORE: The 80s Sinclair Spectrum version of Football Manager is being remade on Steam MORE: Manchester United tipped to sign another hugely promising Arsenal youngster by former coach
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Rio Ferdinand hits out at BBC over coverage of England Lionesses' Euro 2025 triumph with Man Utd icon left stunned
RIO FERDINAND was stunned by the absence of one ex-Lioness on BBC Sport's coverage of the Euro 2025 final. The former England international was watching the 3 Ferdinand thinks the BBC was missing a key former player Credit: BBC Sport 3 Williams is a regular feature on the BBC Credit: Getty 3 But she wasn't present for the Lionesses Euro 2025 final coverage Credit: AP While the country were getting settled to witness the Lionesses claim silverware once again, Ferdinand took to social media to question the BBC 's coverage choices. With three shocked-face emojis , he wrote on The ex-Manchester United defender is of course referring to former Lioness Fara Williams. Williams, who made 172 appearances for her country between 2001 and 2019, has become one of the most prominent pundits in the women's game since she hung up her boots . read more football She had featured regularly on the BBC's coverage of the tournament over the summer . Williams' Instagram posts from Sunday show she was covering the final as part of the tournament's sponsors Just Eat 's promo. She was on a panel for their pre-match show alongside ex-Lionesses and BBC pundits Alex Scott and Jill Scott . She also posted clips of herself in the stands, celebrating wildly when her former team became European champions for the second tournament in a row. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Instead of Williams, the BBC had other Lionesses on their panel in Switzerland . Gabby Logan was put in to present, while former England captain Steph Houghton and Euro 2022 winner Ellen White also got the call up. Inside Lionesses' boozy Euro 2025 celebrations as stars party with pizzas, beers and loved ones after win over Spain Women's Super League commentator Seb Hutchinson was also selected. Plenty of fans The former Gunner went wild as England saw off Spain from the spot, with England's stars following suit and England are queens of Europe England legend Lucy Bronze reveals she played Player ratings - see how England's finest in Chloe Kelly steals the show after Eagle-eyed fans stunned at where Joyous The Lionesses beat La Roja 3-1 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 after extra time.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Rio Ferdinand hits out at BBC over coverage of England Lionesses' Euro 2025 triumph with Man Utd icon left stunned
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RIO FERDINAND was stunned by the absence of one ex-Lioness on BBC Sport's coverage of the Euro 2025 final. The former England international was watching the Lionesses beat World Cup winners Spain on penalties and be crowned back-to-back European champions on Sunday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Ferdinand thinks the BBC was missing a key former player Credit: BBC Sport 3 Williams is a regular feature on the BBC Credit: Getty 3 But she wasn't present for the Lionesses Euro 2025 final coverage Credit: AP While the country were getting settled to witness the Lionesses claim silverware once again, Ferdinand took to social media to question the BBC's coverage choices. With three shocked-face emojis, he wrote on X: "How's @fara_williams47 not on the @BBCSport coverage." The ex-Manchester United defender is of course referring to former Lioness Fara Williams. Williams, who made 172 appearances for her country between 2001 and 2019, has become one of the most prominent pundits in the women's game since she hung up her boots. read more football what a leg-end England icon Lucy Bronze reveals she played whole Euro 2025 with broken leg She had featured regularly on the BBC's coverage of the tournament over the summer. Williams' Instagram posts from Sunday show she was covering the final as part of the tournament's sponsors Just Eat's promo. She was on a panel for their pre-match show alongside ex-Lionesses and BBC pundits Alex Scott and Jill Scott. She also posted clips of herself in the stands, celebrating wildly when her former team became European champions for the second tournament in a row. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Instead of Williams, the BBC had other Lionesses on their panel in Switzerland. Gabby Logan was put in to present, while former England captain Steph Houghton and Euro 2022 winner Ellen White also got the call up. Inside Lionesses' boozy Euro 2025 celebrations as stars party with pizzas, beers and loved ones after win over Spain Women's Super League commentator Seb Hutchinson was also selected. Plenty of fans switched from BBC to ITV's coverage on Sunday, with Arsenal legend and ex-England international Ian Wright being part of the latter's panel. The former Gunner went wild as England saw off Spain from the spot, with England's stars following suit and partying until the early hours afterwards. The Lionesses beat La Roja 3-1 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 after extra time.
