Sadio Mane could join fellow Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq: reports
Steven Gerrard could be joined at Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq by another former Liverpool hero – Senegalese striker Sadio Mane.
Mane, who is currently under contract with European giants Bayern Munich, is reportedly wanted by the Dammam club as they launch a bid for the league title next season.
The 31-year-old left Merseyside for Munich last season, but has failed to capture the form that made him an integral part of Liverpool’s Premier League and Champions League-winning front three along with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino – both of whom have also been linked with moves to Saudi.
Mane's links with Al-Ettifaq come as it emerged that Gerrard could be close to being announced as their new manager.
The Liverpool legend and former Aston Villa manager was spotted in Dammam yesterday, where he apparently sat down with bosses of the Saudi Pro League side to finalise his deal.
There has not yet been an official announcement from Al-Ettifaq on Gerrard.
Saudi team Al Nassr made a landmark signing in January when it managed to entice football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to the club on a two-year contract.
He is soon to be joined in the Saudi Pro League by his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema, who will play for Al-Ittihad next season. The Jeddah club also looks set to sign French World Cup winner N’Golo Kante from Chelsea.
Saudi top-flight clubs continue to be linked with a host of other big names, including Mane, as the kingdom's Public Investment Fund flexes its financial muscles.
It is not just top players that Saudi looks entice to the Saudi Pro League, but also prestigious coaches, with offers reportedly made to the likes of Jose Mourinho and Zinedine Zidane in recent months.
The jury might still be out on Gerrard as a coach, but his stature in the game is big enough to fit perfectly with Saudi's strategy of decorating their league with the biggest names in football.