West Ham announce interest in Manchester United star

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand could be on the verge of making a sensational return to his former club West Ham, Mirror Football has reported.

The former England international, who is in his final year of his contract and is yet to agree terms on a new contract, will be available on a free transfer at the end of the season and the Hammers are said to be keen on luring the player back to East London.

Ferdinand, who will turn 34 next month, began his career at Upton Park before making an £18m move to Leeds back in 2000.

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce added fuel to the speculation by saying: “If at the end of the season and he hasn’t got a new contract and he is going to leave Manchester United then we would be interested if we can sustain our Premier League status. It depends entirely on Rio.

“The chairman likes to think big and it’s nice to have a chairman who thinks big.

“Everything has to be in place. If Rio wants to come back, the financial package and so on and so forth and whether they want to release him or not.

“If he wants to live back in London eventually, which is were he comes from, which is what quite a few players like to do before the end of their careers then that might be an advantage for us.”

Ferdinand is already reportedly being tracked by Major League Soccer clubs Chicago Fire and Thierry Henry’s New York Red Bulls. However, a return to his former home could hold more appeal with West Ham still close to Ferdinand’s heart.

Tags: Manchester United, Rio Ferdinand, West Ham United