You’ll never guess which player’s merchandise is the top seller at the National Football Museum

Sales data from the National Football Museum’s gift shop has revealed that the most popular name when it comes to football-themed presents isn’t Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Paul Pogba or Sergio Aguero.

It’s former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard – despite the museum being in Manchester.

Gerrard-themed gifts have outsold other items stocked, including memorabilia featuring Brazilian legend Pele, replica trophies, and items bearing the crests of both Manchester football teams.

In the last 12 months, sales of merchandise signed by Gerrard signed have increased almost 200%, making him the most popular player at the National Football Museum.

Amongst the top-selling Gerrard-themed products are shirts, photographs and an abstract print by local artist Fanny Gogh. The museum also revealed replica medals, posters, and pieces inspired by its exhibition Pele: Art Life, Football memorabilia were proving popular with attraction visitors this December.

“Despite the fierce rivalry between north west football fans, the public are filling their boots with Gerrard memorabilia,” said the museum’s head of retail, Paul Evans.

And according to Mr Evans, the likeliest explanation isn’t a huge increase in the number of scousers moving to Manchester but a boom in the number of visitors from abroad who are visiting Anfield and buying Steven Gerrard memorabilia at the museum when they visit Manchester.

The likeliest culprits are Chinese tourists.

Hainan Airlines’ new direct, long haul route between Beijing and Manchester has had a huge economic impact, driving a significant increase in exports, inward investment – and the number of visitors.