As Chelsea circle the veteran striker, Rio Ferdinand calls for a sentimental Old Trafford return to provide essential depth and homegrown experience behind star man Benjamin Sesko.
Why Manchester United need a striker this summer.
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Manchester United's pre-season is well underway after a 1-0 defeat to Wrexham was followed up with a 5-0 victory against Rosenborg.
So far this summer, the club have added Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Karl Darlow to the squad, with only Santos featuring in pre-season as of yet.
Since the flurry of incomings, the transfer rumours have seeped to a dry-up as of late, but with the season set to start in under a month, the club will be hoping to bring in more players.
Not only is a third midfielder and a left back needed, but the club also need a back-up striker to Benjamin Sesko, with Joshua Zirkzee rumoured to be moving away.
Danny Welbeck is one of the last active players who featured in Sir Alex Ferguson's last season in 2012/13 and also the last time the Red Devils won the Premier League.
Since leaving the club, the academy graduate went on to play for Arsenal and Watford, before joining Brighton, where he has found his most prolific form at 35 with 13 goals last season.
Fabrizio Romano and David Ornstein both confirmed that Chelsea have been in talks with Brighton about a move for the Englishman as Xabi Alonso looks to add experience to his youthful squad.
This has triggered Rio Ferdinand to come out and urge the club to bring in his former teammate if he is available this summer.
He said (quotes via TeamTalk): "Welbs…. Ignore + come back home!
“Champions League football next season in Manchester.”
Welbeck would be a very shrewd deal for United. Not only does he add much-needed experience, but he also fills the homegrown quota, and more importantly, there would be a clear first-choice and back-up hierarchy. He also would not cost a premium given his age and the one year left on his contract.
If anything, this version of Welbeck is the most well-rounded and technically secure, as well as being a lethal finisher, compared to his younger self even at United. If the club came knocking, he would definitely consider it, given Jonny Evans had the same role.
However, according to Laurie Whitwell, any deal at the moment is unlikely, with the club not looking at the 35-year-old as an option.
It would be a shame to see him in the blue of Chelsea given how much he could help Sesko with, as well as offer to the club.
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