Jordan Henderson was a notable absentee as Liverpool beat Karlsruher 4-2 in a pre-season friendly Wednesday as the England midfielder closes in on a move to Saudi Arabian team Al-Ettifaq. (More Football News)
Liverpool has reportedly agreed in principle a deal worth 12 million pounds ($15🐽.5 million) for its Pr♌emier League and Champions League-winning captain.
The move would✅ see Henderson link up with Liverpool great Steven Gerrard, who has just been hired as manager of the Saudi Pro League team.
The potential signing of the 33-year-old 🧸Henderson is further evidence of the growing lure of Saudi soccer as the oil-rich kingdom targets leading players from Eurꦗope’s top leagues.
Karim Benzema and N’Golo Ka🔯nte are among the star names to have headed there during theꦗ offseason, with Riyad Mahrez also expected to move to Al-Ahli after Manchester City reportedly agreed deal worth up to 30 million pounds ($38.7 million) for its winger.
Henderson’s former Liverpool teammate Roberto Firmino has jo𓃲ined Al-Ahli, while another Anfield ꦆplayer Fabinho has also been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.
Hend🤪erson won every major club honor during his time at the Merseyside club, including the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League title a✃ year later.
That title success ended Liverpool’s 30-year wait to be crowned champions of 💞England again.
ౠHe still has two years to run on his current contract, but could have seen his first team opportunities impacted by manager Jurgen Klopp’꧅s midfield overhaul this offseason.
Liverpool has signed Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai during the transfer window and 🐟is expected to add another midfielder ahead of the new season.
Klopp’s midfield re💯vamp comes after the club endured a disappointing campaign last season, which saw it miss out on the Champions League for the first time i𓆏n seven years and fail to win a trophy.
J♚ames Milner, Naby Keita 🀅and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have all left, while Fabio Carvalho has joined Leipzig on a season-long loan.
Thiago Alcantara’s future is also uncertain, with the veteranꦛ Spain international also linked with a move away — potential✱ly to Saudi Arabia.
