Former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard could soon follow Karim Benzema to Saudi Arabia amid links to Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq.
According to Reuters, Al Ettifaq are bidding to make the former Ibrox manager their new boss, with the manager currently out of work after being sacked by Aston Villa before last Christmas.
The report claims that the Saudi side have made Steven Gerrard an offer but the former Rangers manager would like to mull over the move before making a decision.
The Liverpool legend was also spotted in the country amid links to a move, with videos appearing to show Steven Gerrard visiting Saudi Arabia as part of the negotiations.
Steven Gerrard latest big name linked to Saudi
Oil-rich Saudi Arabia have begun to attract some major names to the country’s football league, with Cristiano Ronaldo kicking things off with a switch to Al Nassr last season.
Balon D’Or holder and Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema has also just followed his former Bernabéu teammate to the Middle East, signing a reported £258m three-year deal with Saudi side Al-Ittihad.
Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal also had a monumental proposal to bring Argentine legend Lionel Messi to the country turned down, the attacker choosing instead to move to Inter Miami.
Offered a fortune, the legendary former Barcelona star was clear that money was not the motivator behind the decision, with L’Equipe claiming Messi’s wife was not keen on a move to Saudi.
Rangers fans will have one eye on Steven Gerrard in a Saudi Arabian context too, especially amid claims that he upped and left the Ibrox side mid-season due to the family reasons.
The story goes that the former Rangers boss – who was Ibrox manager between 2018 and late 2021 – chose Birmingham side Aston Villa in part to be closer to his family.
One wonders what they might think about a move to Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.
The former Rangers boss has also been extensively linked with a move to relegated side Leeds United as they prepare for Championship football.
