Former Manchester United and England centre back Rio Ferdinand has turned down the opportunity to join Aston Villa.
Now a free agent after being released by Manchester United in the summer, Ferdinand has been linked with the likes of newly promoted Queens Park Rangers, but according to Sky Sports journalist Pete O’Rourke he has snubbed an offer from Aston Villa.
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has turned down an offer to join Aston Villa. #AVFC #MUFC http://t.co/nygfdnoOP9
— Pete O'Rourke (@SkySportsPeteO) June 6, 2014
Paul Lambert has been keen to strengthen a defence that struggled last season, with captain and centre back Ron Vlaar having been susceptible to injury since arriving at the club from Feyenoord in 2012.
Ferdinand has also been sidelined with various knocks as the 35 year-old enters the twilight of his career, but his experience would still be seen as invaluable to Lambert as the Scot looks to develop what is a particularly young squad in the West Midlands.
Ferdinand spent twelve years at Old Trafford after making a controversial move in 2002 from fierce rivals Leeds United, arriving at the club for a fee in excess of thirty million pounds, a record fee for a defender. He went on to make over 300 appearances for the Red Devils, creating a formidable partnership with Nemanja Vidic, who has also left the club this summer.
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