"The Fire are interested in Ferdinand," a source within the organization told Goal.com.
"We have watched and admired the play of Rio Ferdinand for a number of years, and we would be thrilled to have a player of his quality join the Chicago Fire Soccer Club," the source continued.
Earlier in the day, a report in The Daily Mail claimed that the Fire were "desperate for a high-profile English player" and had "identified Ferdinand as their main target."
Ferdinand will be 33 in November, and will be out of a contract at the end of the season. Injuries and the emergence of young defensive stars Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have put his future with the Red Devils in doubt.
Though the source did confirm the Fire's interest, he also insisted there were no negotiations at this time saying, "There is no substance to these current reports that the Fire is negotiating with Manchester United and the player, to bring him to Chicago."
In response to the reports, Ferdinand's representative Jamie Moralee denied that his player had eyes on a move abroad.
“I understand the reasons why someone like Rio would be attractive to them (Chicago),” Moralee told the Press Association. "But I must stress, these stories are nothing to do with Rio. We have never discussed anything beyond life at Manchester United because that is all he cares about.”
The Fire are currently in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, and sit six points behind New York and Houston for the final MLS playoff berth, with a game in hand.
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