Rio Ferdinand Snubs Alexander Isak When Naming Best Summer Signing

Rio Ferdinand does not believe Alexander Isak is the “best value” transfer of the summer window despite Liverpool’s coup.

Ferdinand, 46, was no stranger to transfer sagas during his career. First, he moved for a then-British record fee (£18million) when he transferred from West Ham United to Leeds United in 2000.

After two years in West Yorkshire, the former centre-back once again broke the British record with a £30m transfer to Manchester United

He remained at United for 12 years, a period in which he won 14 trophies - including six Premier League titles, one Champions League, a FIFA Club World Cup and two League Cups – before he enjoyed a brief stint at Queens Park Rangers in the 2014/15 campaign.

Including add-ons clauses during his career, Ferdinand was sold for a combined £51m across all his moves – although guaranteed fees add up to around £47m.

And in the summer of 2025, Liverpool broke the British transfer record not once but twice.

The Reds’ deal for Florian Wirtz could reach around £116m if all add-ons are met, which would’ve made it the British transfer record. The initial fee was £100m.

However, Isak’s £125m move from Newcastle set a new British record.

But still, Ferdinand has dubbed another summer deal as the “best value” of the window.

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, the defender explained how one of Chelsea’s summer recruits was what he perceives to be the pick of the bunch.

Ferdinand explained: “I think Pedro is going to be the best value, Joao Pedro at Chelsea, out of all the [summer] transfers. I think he’s a great mix and a great addition to the Chelsea squad. He can play centre-forward.

“He can play as a 10. I see him as a little bit of an 8/10 in the team. I think he’s a really, really, really good addition.”

Pedro, 23, joined Chelsea from Brighton in a deal worth £60 million in July and has enjoyed life at Stamford Bridge under Enzo Maresca.

In his six appearances for the Blues, the Brazil international has produced five goals and two assists.

Joao Pedro in action for Chelsea (Credit:Getty)

Enzo Maresca on what Joao Pedro brings to Chelsea

Speaking to Men in Blazers in early August, Chelsea head coach Maresca detailed exactly what he expects Pedro to bring to his side.

“[Pedro] has quality. In the last third, he has lots of quality that we lack a little bit," Ferdinand said.

“He has lots of quality in the box, especially against teams that are low block. We need that quality in the small spaces, and Joao gives us that.”

He added: “I think one year ago we were very far from the ones that dominate English football, but I think now we are quite close.”