Liverpool fans expected a busy summer of midfield transfers, but few expected club captain Jordan Henderson to leave the club, and a shock move could be completed soon.
‘Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is leaning towards accepting an offer from Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq,’ according to David Ornstein of The Athletic.
‘Henderson is expected to make a decision soon, with the England international taking into account a life-changing offer that would quadruple his Liverpool salary.
‘Steven Gerrard, Henderson’s former Liverpool teammate, was named Al Ettifaq’s new manager last week and has played a key role in driving the club’s pursuit of the 33-year-old.
‘Henderson has two years left on his four-year contract, which he signed in the summer of 2021, so a fee would need to be agreed between Liverpool and Al Ettifaq if the midfielder agreed to join the Saudi club.
‘Liverpool have had no contact from clubs about a move for Henderson. If he gives his approval to the move, the clubs will immediately begin negotiations on a contract’.
Al Ettifaq appear to be quite the persuaders, with both Steven Gerrard and the man who took his captaincy seemingly ruling out a move to the Middle East – before changing their minds.
But it’s easy to see how minds have been changed, with our No.14 set to quadruple his salary in exchange for moving to Saudi Arabia.
At 33 years old, having captained us to every major honour, and watching Jurgen Klopp reshape his midfield this summer, it’s easy to see why our captain’s head may have turned.
On top of these ridiculous wages, we would have to pay a fee, and we should be able to negotiate a reasonable fee for the Sunderland-born midfielder’s services.
The loss of his leadership in the dressing room will be devastating, and his abilities on the field are the reason he is so frequently entrusted with game time for the Reds; whatever happens, we should all appreciate the role played by a true club icon.
Some will be disappointed, while others will not be able to blame him, but whichever way you look at it, this is not the departure the club had planned for this summer.
