Manchester United Transfer Rumors: Red Devils Defender Rio Ferdinand Considering Summer Move To MLS

With only two days remaining in the January transfer window, multiple teams across the wide spectrum of professional soccer are making their final pushes for various players they hope will be able to help their team down the stretch. Many clubs will elect to back off during the final moments of the winter window, turning their focus to completing the respective campaign in strong fashion as currently constituted and then re-focusing on player acquisitions during the summer transfer period. Manchester United -- never shy about involving themselves in the thickets of transfer rumors -- have already landed midfielder Juan Mata and head coach David Moyes might decide to ride out the remainder of the season with his current roster.

The Red Devils won’t be able to repeat as Barclays Premier League champions this season after battling sluggish midfield play and multiple injuries and while the team will most likely enter talks for certain players over the summer, fans, players and higher-ups at Old Trafford could see the departure of a long-time member. According to multiple sources, 35-year-old defender Rio Ferdinand is strongly considering a move to America’s Major League Soccer, with the Los Angeles Galaxy showing a high level of interest. The former West Ham United star will see his contract at Old Trafford expire at the end of the current season and because he’s appeared in only 13 matches for United throughout the 2013-2014 schedule, a move away from the Red Devils seems like a definite possibility.

Though many clubs from the China and the Middle East have shown interest in Ferdinand’s services, the London native remains linked to the MLS. The possibility of Rio joining the Los Angeles Galaxy is certainly there but David Beckham’s expansion MLS team in Miami could also be a fit for the soon to be free agent. United higher-ups have not indicated that they plan to re-sign Ferdinand after re-inking him to a one-year contract in May of 2013 but should he elect to play in the United States, the long-time Manchester United star will bring a decorated resume that includes numerous club and individual honors.

Among Ferdinand’s top achievements, helping Man U claim six Premier League titles between 2002 and 2013 sit right at the top of the list. Add in the fact that he was part of the 2007-2008 UEFA Champions League winning team and was named to the FIFA World XI squad as a member of the English National Team in 2008 and it’s easy to consider Ferdinand one United’s most successful defenders.