In a stunning turn of events, Jordan Henderson, the revered Liverpool captain, is currently deliberating the possibility of ending his 12-year tenure at Anfield. An alluring offer from Al-Ettifaq, Steven Gerrard’s newly formed club in Saudi Arabia, has piqued his interest. Initially hesitant about uprooting his family and relocating to the Middle East, the 33-year-old is now seriously considering a two-year contract that would effectively double his current weekly wage of £200,000 at Liverpool. Additionally, the proposal includes an enticing option for a potential third year.
While no formal bid has been submitted by Al-Ettifaq, speculation suggests that an official offer may be imminent, with Henderson’s inclination toward this unexpected transfer being the determining factor. Crucially, the midfielder is set to engage in discussions with Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp in the coming week to assess his prospects of regular game time in the upcoming season. The outcome of these talks could significantly influence Henderson’s final decision as he contemplates the next phase of his illustrious career.
During the previous season, Henderson made a remarkable 43 appearances for Liverpool, emerging as a pivotal figure both on and off the field under Klopp’s guidance. However, the club has recently witnessed the departure of former vice-captain James Milner, who joined Brighton, and the exits of Naby Keïta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on free transfers. This has created a void in the squad. The signings of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, commanding fees of £35 million and £60 million respectively, have intensified the competition for midfield positions. Klopp presently has a wealth of options at his disposal, with a total of nine midfielders vying for starting spots. Furthermore, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s successful transition to a hybrid midfield role toward the end of the previous season, coupled with the impressive progress of Curtis Jones and Stefan Bajcetic, has added depth to Liverpool’s midfield lineup.
It is worth noting that Henderson is not the only Liverpool midfielder attracting interest from the Saudi Pro League. Thiago Alcântara has also emerged as a target for potential suitors. Meanwhile, Klopp has expressed his interest in Roméo Lavia, Southampton’s talented 19-year-old defensive midfielder, who is valued at £50 million by his relegated club.
Another crucial consideration for Henderson is the potential impact of a move to Saudi Arabia on his international career with England. The midfielder played an influential role for Gareth Southgate’s team during the 2022 World Cup and may be apprehensive about jeopardizing his place in the national squad ahead of the highly anticipated European Championships in Germany next summer.