Rio Ferdinand commands Ten Hag to steal Kovacic from Manchester City

Rio Ferdinand has urged his former club Manchester United to prize Chelsea Midfielder Mateo Kovacic from fierce rivals Manchester City this summer.

Ferdinand said: “I think Kovacic has got a year left, go and get someone like him. I like him…he’s different to what we’ve got.”

Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag has made it known that the upcoming transfer window is huge for potential incomers and leavers.

Ten Hag has already begun looking at midfield targets as a deal for Chelsea’s Mason Mount seems to be all but confirmed. Ferdinand shared his thoughts on the prospect of the midfielder joining his former club.

He added: “He’s (Mount) interesting because he scores goals and he gets assists. He’s someone who would fit into the way Man United would play.”

Hijacking a deal for Mount’s teammate Kovacic will prove to be very difficult for Manchester United as their noisy neighbour Manchester City are close to agreeing a deal for the Croatian.

Kovacic made 37 appearances for Chelsea this season but with only a year left on his contract it seems new manager Mauricio Pochettino is likely to sell the 29-year-old.

Manchester United ‘weighing up’ Mateo Kovacic bid #mufc https://t.co/eV6EfFjsUY pic.twitter.com/UgEgLeGaxl

— Man United News (@ManUtdMEN) May 14, 2023

However, Kovacic is a proven serial winner with 13 major trophies under his belt from his spells with Real Madrid and Chelsea. Mount is another player with a winning mentality as he helped Chelsea to Champions League glory back in 2021.

With Manchester United chasing similar glory under Ten Hag, he’ll need all the experienced players that his transfer window budget will allow him to get.

Frankie de Jong has been linked with a move to Old Trafford once again as Ten Hag failed to sign him from Barcelona last summer. The Netherlands international enjoyed a successful season with Barcelona as the Spanish side secured the La Liga title for the first time since 2019.

Ferdinand also shared his opinion on whether a move to Manchester is still on the cards for de Jong: “The man hasn’t shown the intentions that he wants to come.”