Steven Gerrard eyes forgotten Chelsea flop as part of Premier League raid

Tom Weber

• Updated: 13 Jan 2024 13:40 GMT
• 3 min read

Steven Gerrard is eyeing Premier League reinforcements for his Saudi side, including forgotten Chelsea flop Malang Sarr.

The Al-Ettifaq boss has made no secrete of his desire to sign big-name players this month in a bid to give his Saudi side a lift and to save his coaching reputation. Since his successful Rangers stint, Gerrard's career has been on a downward trajectory and he has so far shown little to suggest that he can arrest this trend.

Ettifaq, one of the biggest spenders in the Saudi Pro League in the summer despite not being one of the teams taken over by the government's Public Investment Fund, only languish in eighth in the standings and are facing internal turmoil because of Jordan Henderson.

The Liverpool legend has reportedly had enough of playing in Saudi Arabia and wants to return to Europe. Ettifaq, however, will reportedly only sanction a move if they can make a profit on their €14 million investment or if his hefty salary is fully covered in the event of a loan. The likes of Ajax and Juventus are said to be interested in him.

Gerrard wants more Premier League stars

Henderson was just one of several former UK-based players that were snapped up by Ettifaq. Head coach Gerrard and his recruitment team, it seems, have no intention to change this transfer policy.

Recent reports have linked Ettifaq with a move for Bertrand Traore, who is for sale, according to Aston Villa boss Unai Emery. More intriguingly, the Saudi side have now also been associated with Malang Sarr.

The forgotten Chelsea defender, who has not featured for the club since the spring of 2022, is a remnant of the Roman Abramovich era and as such, surprisingly, one of the Blues' biggest earners. Naturally, then, they want to get rid of him and Football.London claims that Ettifaq are interested.

Sarr has also been linked with a move to Celta Vigo in recent months, the relegation-battling LaLiga team coached by former Liverpool and Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez.