How Steven Gerrard’s Saudi club could line up with shock move for ex-Liverpool team-mates and former Man Utd rival
STEVEN GERRARD’S new side in Saudi Arabia could have a very familiar look to it as he targets moves for a host of current and former Premier League stars.
The former Aston Villa boss has completed a return to management after being appointed by the Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq.
Liverpool legend Gerrard, 43, had been out of work since being sacked by Villa in October 2022 and had previously rejected an offer from Al-Ettifaq last month before performing a U-turn to take over the club on Monday.
After signing a two-year deal with the Saudi Pro League side, he is now looking to bolster his squad with Premier League experience.
We reported how he is set to spring a shock move for Jordan Henderson and a Chelsea flop after joining Al-Ettifaq.
He is allegedly keen to bring in both England midfielder Henderson and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
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Henderson is a former team-mate of Gerrard's, having played alongside him 141 times for Liverpool and the Three Lions.
The 33-year-old is the current Reds captain and has two years remaining on his current contract.
As for Aubameyang, his future at Chelsea is uncertain after a difficult first season in West London.
After signing from Barcelona last summer, the forward scored just three goals in 21 appearances during the Blues' underwhelming season.
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He has been strongly linked with a move this summer, with Chelsea reportedly rejecting an offer from Galatasaray.
Meanwhile, we also revealed that moves for fellow ex-Liverpool ace Phillipe Coutinho and former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard could also be on the cards.
David Beckham is currently doing Lingard a favour by letting him train with his Inter Miami side.
The 30-year-old is a free agent after his contract at Nottingham Forest expired and he has already teased a potential switch to the Middle East.
Meanwhile Brazilian attacker Coutinho, 31, could have a chance to revitalise his career after he has struggled to impress at Aston Villa.
Gerrard brought him to Villa Park from Barcelona in January 2022 after previously playing with him at Anfield.
But he has since fallen out of favour with new boss Unai Emery reluctant to use him, although Besiktas are also keen.
Meanwhile, another Liverpool name has also been thrown into the mix.
have reported that “Thiago Alcantara is the subject of serious interest from Saudi Arabia, after having already rejected one offer”.
They claim that Spain international, 32, is high up on the Saudi Pro League’s list of targets.
And Liverpool fans fear that Alcantara is leaving after spotting a cryptic clue on his Instagram profile.
However, has since claimed that he is expected “to stay” at Anfield.
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Either way, it is still shaping up to be a dramatically overhauled squad with a number of big-name additions being planned.
And Gerrard will be expected to make Al-Ettifaq do a lot better than last term after they finished seventh in the Saudi Pro League, 35 points adrift of champions Al-Ittihad - coached by ex-Wolves and Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
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