Jordan Henderson: End of an era as Liverpool officially agree fee to sell Anfield stalwart to Al-Ettifaq
Liverpool have agreed a deal in principle worth £12million plus add-ons to sell veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq.
The England star travelled to Germany with the Reds for their pre-season training camp but was not involved in their first pre-season game against Karlsruher amid speculation that a deal was close to being agreed.
Anfield legend Steven Gerrard was recently appointed as manager of Al-Ettifaq and immediately targeted 33-year-old, who has two years left on his current contract.
Henderson joined Liverpool from Sunderland in June 2011 in a deal worth £20m.
He made 43 appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s men last season as they endured a hugely disappointing campaign by finishing fifth in the Premier League and missing out on a place in the Champions League.
Overall, he has played 491 times for the Reds, scoring 33 goals and notching 58 assists.
Henderson was Reds skipper when the club lifted the Champions League in 2019, while he also tasted success in the Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup later that year.
The season after, Henderson led Liverpool as they ended their 30-year wait for Premier League title success.
The experienced midfielder also won the FA Cup in 2022 and League Cup in 2012 and 2022.
Henderson to join Saudi exodus
He is set to become the latest high-profile player to move to the Saudi Pro League and will be joined by Riyad Mahrez after Manchester City agreed a £30m fee with Al-Ahli for the winger.
Henderson’s exit will almost certainly led Klopp to bringing in a replacement, with Wednesday’s Euro Paper Talk claiming that a PSG is already being eyed.
The Reds being their Premier League campaign with a trip to Chelsea next month.
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