Where will Steven Gerrard go?
By Andrew McKenzie
Steven Gerrard's long buttociation with Liverpool looks set to end this summer.
The Reds skipper looks to have run out of patience with Liverpool and has ended talks over a new contract with the club.
Gerrard set to quit Anfield
There have also been newspaper reports of a training-ground bust-up with manager Rafael Benitez.
If the 25-year-old is to leave his beloved Anfield it is likely there will be no shortage of suitors for a player of Gerrard's standing.
Here BBC Sport looks at the possible clubs involved.
REAL MADRID If Gerrard does leave Anfield it appears that the Bernabeu would be the most likely destination.
Some friendly faces would be there to greet him in the form of England team-mates Michael Owen, David Beckham and Jonathan Woodgate.
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According to reports Owen has already given Gerrard the lowdown on how great a club Madrid is.
The Spanish giants have brought in a superstar each year for the last five summers and Spanish newspaper As is sure that this year it will be Gerrard's turn.
Money would not be a problem for a club who have shown in the past they are not afraid of breaking the bank to get their man.
Gerrard would provide some much-needed steel to Madrid's fragile midfield.
CHELSEA Gerrard's move to Stamford Bridge appeared a certainty last summer, but a late change of heart saw the Reds skipper remain at Anfield.
Chelsea are already well stocked in midfield with Frank Lampard and Claude Makelele.
But the thought of adding Gerrard to that mix would be a mouthwatering one for Blues fans.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is looking for a central midfielder, although he seems to have earmarked Lyon's Michael Essien for that role.
Spanish newspaper As also claimed Gerrard would not move to one of Liverpool's Premiership rivals.
But Chelsea would almost certainly be a bidder should Gerrard become available and when it comes to financial muscle they can compete with any club.
AC MILAN Milan saw at first hand how dangerous a player Gerrard can be in the Champions League final back in May.
The Italians' midfield, so dominant in the first half against Liverpool, looked tired after the break as Gerrard drove the Reds forward.
Ahead of the final, Milan boss Carlos Ancelotti said they would be interested if Gerrard was to become available this summer.
Ancelotti said: "He is undoubtedly one of the best midfield players in the world."
But it is thought Gerrard would be less keen on a move to Serie A than La Liga.
LIVERPOOL There is still a possibility that Gerrard could remain at Anfield.
He is under contract for a further two years and Liverpool would surely be reluctant to allow their captain to leave without a fight.
Gerrard was inspiration in their Champions League triumph and it would be a big task for the club to find a replacement, no matter how much money they were to get for him.
But Liverpool legend Mark Lawrensen told BBC Sport: "Rafael Benitez recognises he hasn't got enough quality players, he even said last season he has got six or seven players who are good enough to try and win the Premier League.
"If he gets £30m for Gerrard he can buy three or four players.
"However, he is still under contract for two years so there's no real problem with sorting his contract out."
OTHERS Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has never hid his admiration of Gerrard.
Last year he likened Gerrard to his skipper Roy Keane and said he would be the perfect replacement when the Irishman retires, even ahead of Arsenal and France midfielder Patrick Vieira.
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Ferguson added: "He has become the most influential player in England, bar none. Not that Vieira lacks anything, but Gerrard does more."
But Liverpool would be reluctant to sell their star player to one of their bitter rivals.
Gerrard has talked about wanting to play alongside the best and the thought of lining up behind Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o for Spanish giants Barcelona would appeal to anyone.
But the La Liga champions already have a talented midfield with summer signing of Mark van Bommell added to last season's star players Ludovic Giuly and Deco.
Arsenal would have to be considered rank outsiders if Gerrard was to become available.
The prospect of teaming him up with Vieira in the centre of midfield would be an enticing one, but the Gunners are unlikely to be able to compete financially with the cream of Europe.
