"To put it bluntly..." - Rio Ferdinand claims Man Utd could be "bent over" with potential £80m transfer

Rio Ferdinand warned Manchester United against overpaying in their pursuit of World Cup star Cody Gakpo.

Man Utd are in the hunt for a Cristiano Ronaldo replacement, after the two parties mutually agreed to terminate the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s contract.

Gakpo has netted three times in as many World Cup games for the Netherlands, in addition to his 13 goals and 17 assists for PSV this term.

The 23-year-old looks set for a Premier League move in January, with Man Utd and Liverpool believed to be interested.

Paying over the odds

Gakpo was reportedly available for around £25million last summer, with Leeds United and Southampton thought to have been among the clubs chasing the PSV star's signature at the time.

However, former Man Utd centre-back Ferdinand is concerned the Old Trafford club will pay over the odds for the Netherlands forward after a series of impressive performances in Qatar.

On the Vibe with Five YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: “Man United’s next signing [Gakpo], who we probably could’ve had for £25m to £30m before the tournament who has probably doubled to £60million or £80million.

“Man United are just going to get bent over again to put it bluntly, the numbers that are going to be spoken about after this tournament are going to be high.

“If he does nothing from this point on, he’s doubled minimum in value, wage and in the transfer fee.

“He’s got three goals in the World Cup. Especially with Ronaldo leaving, wow, wow, wow, Man United need new owners now.”

Ferdinand on Rashford

Ferdinand was also concerned that Man Utd would take another financial hit on securing England international Marcus Rashford to a new deal.

On Rashford, who has also scored three goals this World Cup, Ferdinand added. “That’s the first thing I asked in the studio yesterday, I text the group and said ‘what’s the contract situation with Marcus?

“Because boy, the numbers are going up by the minute. Every goal is a nought added to the demands, Man United could be getting pushed into a corner.

“I’ve got to be honest, I don’t know how United have let it get to this point.

“The only thing I’d say in defence of Man United is he was out of form massively so they was thinking is he going to get his form back but if you gamble that then this happens, he has you in a vice-like grip saying ‘show me the money’.

“If I’m him, I don’t even negotiate it, I say to my agent ‘you ain’t going in there, I know my value, I’m walking in there, sitting and saying who is the highest paid player at the club right now?’ And you say put a million a year above him.”