BT Sport target Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand, whose Manchester United contract expires at the end of the season, has been offered the opportunity to become BT Sport’s main football pundit.
The TV network want a marquee football name as their leading analyst after paying £738million for the rights to 38 Premier League games in each of the next three seasons, and Ferdinand would be their first choice if he decides to retire.
Ferdinand, who is heavily involved in a number of his own media projects, is understood to have other broadcasting offers, too.
But the central defender, 34, is still a first choice for United manager Sir Alex Ferguson - if not England - when fit.
And it would be a surprise if he hangs up his boots so soon to start a
TV career.
Meanwhile the much-travelled James Beattie, now playing for Accrington Stanley, is said to have impressed in pundit screen-tests for BT, though they will want a bigger name for their top-flight coverage.
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