Former Liverpool sport director Julian Ward has emerged as a target for Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad.
The Jeddah-based club, who failed with a £150million bid to sign Liverpool striker Mo Salah in August, want a skilled sporting director to aid their recruitment and support new head coach Marcelo Gallardo.
The 42-year old Ward shocked Liverpool last year by announcing he would be stepping down from his role at the end of last season just months after replacing the revered Michael Edwards.
Ward continued to help bring in new signings and was key to landing the likes of World Cup winner Alexis MacAllister from Brighton in the summer.
He was replaced on a short-term basis by experienced German Jorg Schmadtke and Liverpool are weighing up another appointment for the New Year.
Ward, who joined Liverpool in 2012 as European scouting manager for Spain and Portugal, was among the sporting director candidates targeted by Ajax last March but opted to bide his time and assess his options.
Al Ittihad are fourth in the Saudi Pro League and boast former Liverpool midfielder Fabinho in their ranks along with N'Golo Kante, formerly of Chelsea and ex-Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.