With the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia making a huge push to lure some of the biggest names in football to the Middle East in time for next season, it was only natural to hear of links to Steven Gerrard.
The legendary former Liverpool captain might have officially hung up his boots in November 2016 but he remains one of the true global icons of the world game and with teams across Saudi Arabia looking to bring in a whole host of famous faces on the pitch, Gerrard had been earmarked to bring his star power to the dugout too.
With the likes of Karim Benzema and Ruben Neves set to join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League next season - as well as a smattering of other big names, if recent reports are to be believed - it's clear that KSA are aiming to diversify their considerable wealth into football.
Back in January, it was reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched an investment fund to support infrastructure related to sports and tourism among other areas and having lured Ronaldo to the Middle East when he left Manchester United for Al Nassr in November, another major star of the European game joined him earlier this month when current Ballon d'Or holder Karim Benzema ended his glittering association with Real Madrid to sign for Al Ittihad on a three-year deal.
READ MORE: Liverpool great Steven Gerrard breaks silence on Saudi Arabia management reports
Gerrard's playing days may firmly be behind him but the addition of the iconic midfielder would have been another feather in the cap for the SPL as they go about looking to recruit high-profile figures from across Europe to join their apparent revolution.
It had appeared as though Gerrard was closing in on becoming Al-Ettifaq manager having flown to the region after providing analysis duty for BT Sport for the Champions League final in Istanbul on June 3.
Gerrard was flattered and interested by the offer as he weighed up taking a return to management after a difficult spell with Aston Villa came to an end last year.
After intense speculation, however, the former England international revealed that he would not in fact be taking the opportunity to return to coaching in the Saudi Arabian league, telling Channel 4 during their coverage of the Three Lions' 7-0 win over North Macedonia at Old Trafford that he had opted against the move.
"A lot has been said in the media and a lot of it is not true," Gerrard said. "I was invited over there to look at a potential offer, which I did, and have been analysing that over the last couple of days. As we stand, right now, I won't be taking that offer up."
While the financial packages that are being laid out for would-be arrivals to the SPL are truly extraordinary for a league that is nowhere near the best that European football has to offer, there appears to be little else to entice, particularly if you are a football manager keen to rebuild your reputation.
Gerrard would have little to gain from a move to Dammam from a purely sporting perspective. If the former Reds skipper feels he has unfinished business as a manager, or that he needs to restore his standing after being relieved of his duties by Villa, a move to Al-Ettifaq is of little use.
It will surely take decades and billions worth of investment before the SPL is viewed in the same light as any of the elite-level European leagues. The general perception - for now, at least - is that players and managers heading there are motivated by the eye-watering financial benefits above any sporting merit.
As a young, enthusiastic manager with decades of experience of working under some of the best coaches the game has had to offer during his playing days, a move to Saudi Arabia right now would jar for Gerrard.
Would any employer in the Premier League really take achievements in a division ranked outside the top 25 on the planet into genuine consideration? Even the most wildly successful of stints wouldn't move the dial, one suspects.
It's why such a move, from a purely football point of view, would have left Gerrard in a no-win situation and why the ex-Rangers boss is making the right move by continuing to wait for his next opportunity, wherever that may come.
