English midfielder Jordan Henderson led the team at Liverpool with his overwhelming captaincy and intense pressing, making a total of 492 appearances. He was expected to remain at Anfield this season, but an invitation from Saudi Arabia led to his decision to join Al-Ettifaq.
However, despite the hefty salary, the player wants to leave the Middle East due to the team’s poor performance, weather, and cultural differences. Although he will be in the country for only six months, he is planning to return to Europe this January, and it appears that he has started selling himself instead of just waiting for an offer.
According to talkSPORT, Henderson has been talking to Bundesliga teams such as Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen, and his name is also being tossed around among Premier League and Serie A side Juventus.
Al-Ettifaq, the club’s manager, brought in Steven Gerrard last summer and reinforced the English midfielder as well as Georginio Wijnaldum and Moussa Dembele. However, the team has been stagnant, earning only half of the points earned by leader Al Hilal.
Although they receive high salaries in Saudi Arabia, only a few clubs in Europe can pay the same amount, much less prepare a large sum of money for a player who will be 34 years old by the end of this year.
He would have to accept a considerable reduction in his salary, and whether he would still be willing to return is likely to be a point of contention.
In any case, it seems to be true that the former Liverpool midfielder wants to move on, but will any club come forward to acquire him?