EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea furious after Gerrard makes Gallagher Saudi approach

Steve Kay

Updated: 14 Oct 2023 09:03 BST
4 min read

Steven Gerrard, Al-Ettifaq, Conor Gallagher, Chelsea — © ProShots

Steven Gerrard recently contacted Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher regarding a potential January move, FootballTransfers has been told.

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Sources have informed us that the Al-Ettifaq manager was keen to bring another British player to Dammam, Saudi Arabia in the form of Gallagher. Ettifaq signed England midfielder Jordan Henderson, Scotsman Jack Hendry and Birmingham-born Jamaica international Demarai Gray in the summer, while the side remain in talks with ex-Man Utd player Jesse Lingard.

Gerrard, we hear, personally contacted the Blues midfielder to ask whether he would be open to a winter transfer, but the 23-year-old flatly rejected the approach. Gallagher wants to remain at boyhood club Chelsea, whom he has at times captained this season, and sign a new contract to continue playing in the Premier League.

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Gallagher is not interested in the Saudi money, but the story doesn't end there. Given that the current campaign is in full swing and January is still some way away, Chelsea and head coach Mauricio Pochettino in particular are not happy with the Liverpool legend and his attempts at turning the player's head.

Moreover, a source has told us that Gerrard is a repeat offender. During his 11-month stint as Aston Villa boss, the 43-year-old apparently attempted to lure Gallagher to his then-club, too. The former Rangers manager may have irreparably damaged his chances of signing Chelsea players in the future after this latest incident.

Gerrard vs Chelsea

Of course, this isn't the first time that Gerrard has had a run-in with the Blues. During his playing days, legendary Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho tried to sign Gerrard for £20 million with a view to making him an integral part of their ascent to the top of the game thanks to Roman Abramovich's funds.

Gerrard seriously weighed up the move as Liverpool were in footballing no man's land at the time - which outraged Reds fans - but ultimately elected to remain. The rivalry between Liverpool and Chelsea, with Gerrard at the heart of it, would continue to grow over the following years.

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While Chelsea went on to claim several Premier League titles without the midfielder, Gerrard never did win the English top flight. He did, however, famously triumph in the Champions League in Istanbul less than a year after turning down the move to London. Europe's biggest trophy would elude Chelsea until 2012.