LA Galaxy's Steven Gerrard (that still feels strange to type by the way) has a new book coming out, and the former Liverpool captain has made it perfectly clear that there was a lot of interest in his signature before he decided to play alongside Robbie Keane in Major League Soccer.
Mail Online are serialising a number of excerpts from the book, and the latest one reveals who tried to sign him once it became clear that he wouldn't be staying with Liverpool, including a Premier League side.
If true, it's clear that his decision to play in the MLS was not due to a lack of interest in Europe.
Before I went public with the news, other clubs were hearing I might be leaving Liverpool.
The first offer came from Besiktas, then managed by Slaven Bilic. Monaco were next. They came in strong. Paris Saint-Germain were also very keen. David Moyes called my agent a couple of times, to see whether I would be interested in playing for him at Real Sociedad.
A few English clubs called but I wouldn’t play against Liverpool. There was interest from Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino. It was good to know he still rated me. I was sure I could play in the Premier League for another year but there would not have been much of a buzz doing the same thing all over again with Tottenham.
Gerrard then revealed that he was tempted by a move to France, but the prospect of returning to Anfield as an opponent, even in European competition, was enough to put him off:
I was slightly interested in PSG and Monaco but how could I come back to Anfield if there was a European game?
With the rumoured possibility of a transatlantic competition featuring teams from England and teams from the MLS, maybe Stevie G should have opted for Qatar instead.
via Mail Online.
