Jordan Henderson: Liverpool captain says goodbyes ahead of Al Ettifaq move under Steven Gerrard
Jordan Henderson has said goodbye to his Liverpool team-mates, and should be confirmed as an Al Ettifaq player by the end of the week.
Henderson’s controversial transfer to Saudi Arabia’s Pro League comes with a fee worth around £13m, and will bring his 12-year Anfield career to an end. He has won seven major trophies in that time.
The Liverpool captain sought clarity from Jurgen Klopp over how much game time he would get with the Reds next season, before making his decision to leave.
After joining the Liverpool squad for their pre-season training camp in Germany, Henderson was left out of the opening friendly against Karlsruher last week, and said farewell to his team-mates before returning home to undergo a medical and finalise the move.
The final legal details of his lucrative new Al Ettifaq contract are expected to be completed in the next 24 hours.
The Saudi Pro League side, now managed by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, are so determined to land the England international they have proposed more than tripling his £200,000-a-week salary.
Liverpool are undergoing a midfield rebuild that is not complete yet. They have added Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, with strong interest remaining in Romeo Lavia.
Thiago Alcantara has also been targeted by Saudi Arabia, while Liverpool have already given Fabinho the green light to complete a £40m move to Al Ittihad.
Henderson’s proposed move has drawn criticism from Liverpool’s LGBTQI+ fans group Kop Outs, who tweeted: “Kop Outs have valued the allyship shown by Jordan Henderson.
“We are appalled and concerned that anyone might consider working for a sports washing operation for a regime where women & LGBT+ people are oppressed and that regularly tops the world death sentence table.”
Henderson made 43 appearances for Liverpool in 2022/23 and marked the 12th anniversary of his signing for the club last month.
Signed from Sunderland in 2011, Henderson has won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, two League Cups, the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup during a trophy-laden 12 years at Anfield.
Liverpool’s £40m Lavia bid rejected by Southampton
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Sky Sports News’ chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol provides the details behind Liverpool’s £40m bid for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia.
Southampton have rejected a bid thought to be worth £40m from Liverpool for midfielder Romeo Lavia.
The Saints are understood to be holding out for £50m for the 19-year-old.
One source has told Sky Sports News that Chelsea are also interested and keeping an eye on his situation. Lavia has four years left on his Southampton contract.
The Belgium international joined Southampton from Manchester City last summer but is expected to leave after the Saints were relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season.
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Take a look at why some of the Premier League’s elite are targeting a move for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia.
Jurgen Klopp has already brought in two new midfielders this summer after the arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton in a £35m deal, followed by that of Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig for £60m.
Those new signings have replaced departing midfielders James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita, while captain Jordan Henderson and Brazil international Fabinho could also leave Anfield this summer.
Both Henderson and Fabinho are in the process of securing moves to Saudi Arabia.
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Who will be on the move this summer when the transfer window opens on June 14 and closes at 11pm on September 1 in England and midnight in Scotland?
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports‘ digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.
