Steven Gerrard eyes Liverpool captain, Henderson for Al Ettifaq

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has set his sights on securing the services of Jordan Henderson and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as his initial signings after being officially announced as the new manager of Al Ettifaq.

Gerrard’s return to the managerial role comes after his departure from Aston Villa in October. Initially, he had turned down an approach from the Saudi Pro League club following a visit to the Middle East in June.

However, discussions resumed, leading Gerrard to accept the position and sign a two-year contract with Al Ettifaq, based in Dammam.

Saudi Arabian football has witnessed the arrival of numerous high-profile names in recent times, including Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, and Ruben Neves.

According to a report from the Daily Mail, Gerrard is aiming for an ambitious double swoop, targeting Liverpool’s captain Jordan Henderson and Chelsea’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Henderson, who played alongside Gerrard during their time at Liverpool, took over the captain’s armband when Gerrard departed for LA Galaxy.

The 31-year-old midfielder is currently under contract with Liverpool until 2025, and a move to Saudi Arabia would come as a surprise, considering his 12 successful and trophy-laden years at the Merseyside club.

On the other hand, Aubameyang’s situation presents a different scenario. The Gabonese forward endured a difficult season at Chelsea, scoring only three goals in 21 appearances. Given his underwhelming performance, a move to a club in the Middle East seems more plausible for the 33-year-old striker.

Several Chelsea players have already made the switch to Saudi Arabia, with N’Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Edouard Mendy finding new clubs. Additionally, Hakim Ziyech’s proposed move to Al Nassr, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, fell through due to a knee problem discovered during his medical examination.

Meanwhile, another of Gerrard’s former teammates, Philippe Coutinho, has also been linked with a potential reunion with the manager after their time together at Aston Villa.

Gerrard’s appointment as Al Ettifaq manager was officially confirmed on Monday, and in a video message, the former England captain attempted to speak Arabic, saying, “I am Steven Gerrard. I am an Ettifaqi. See you soon.”

Football enthusiasts and fans of the Saudi Pro League will eagerly monitor Gerrard’s tenure at Al Ettifaq and observe whether his aspirations to secure the signings of Jordan Henderson and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang come to fruition.

The potential acquisition of these established talents could significantly bolster the squad’s quality and enhance the team’s competitiveness in domestic and international competitions.

In related news, Sadio Mane is also believed to be one of the players Al Ettifaq may also be eyeing in this summer transfer window.