Steven Gerrard has moved to Saudi Arabia and he's got his eyes on a huge transfer target

Steven Gerrard has made a u-turn on his decision to move to the Saudi Pro League and is now Al Ettifaq's new manager, and he's hoping to bring a huge name with him.

Moving to Saudi Arabia is all the rage this summer, kicked off by current Ballon d'Or holder Karim Benzema leaving Real Madrid for the Middle East.

Many other names have moved already this summer, with Ruben Neves swapping his dreams of Champions League football for a record smashing transfer to Al Hilal.

There's still a chance for more big names to head to the league this summer, with David de Gea reportedly on the wanted list after his deal at Manchester United came to an end.

Even managers haven't been safe from the interest with both Jose Mourinho and Max Allegri having reportedly received offers from Saudi Arabia.

Steven Gerrard is another man who was wanted but initially claimed he wouldn't be moving, saying: "I was invited over there to look at a potential offer, which I did.

"I have been analysing that over the last couple of days. But, as we stand right now, I won't be taking that offer up."

However on Monday it was revealed that he'd changed his mind as he was announced as new Al Ettifaq boss, and according to Ben Jacobs there's some big transfer targets at the club.

The report claims that the club are hoping to reunite their new manager with former teammate and player Philippe Coutinho, whilst Jesse Lingard is also an option.

Coutinho was a teammate of Gerrard's at Anfield and he later signed for Aston Villa, initially on loan and then as a permanent signing.

Things at Villa Park didn't work out well for the former Reds' captain and after his departure the Brazilian didn't get much playing time.

The former Barcelona star was even mocked by League Two Stevenage as they knocked him and his Premier League side out of the FA Cup.

A move to the Gulf State could be the next move in his career and the same could be said of Lingard, who left Nottingham Forest after his contract expired.

The former Manchester United star has been training in America with Inter Miami as he looks for the next chapter in his own career.

Featured Image Credit: Al Ettifaq FC/Getty

Topics: Football, Transfers, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Steven Gerrard, Premier League, Philippe Coutinho, Jesse Lingard, Aston Villa

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a journalist for SPORTbible with over eight years of experience. Passionate about all sports, he mainly covers football and F1 - Daniel Ricciardo once spent an entire interview referring to him as 'Ryan Gosling,' still his proudest moment.

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