Jordan Henderson’s hopes of Saudi Arabia exit dealt blow as eye-watering price tag set

Those running the show at Al-Ettifaq are keen to make a profit on Henderson if he is to depart, while the player himself has not yet submitted any kind of transfer request. In fact, manager Steven Gerrard is keen on building the rest of his side around his former Liverpool team-mate.

Henderson may have hoped that playing under a fellow Anfield icon would have helped inspire some fine form, but things have not played out as expected. Al-Ettifaq currently sit eighth in the Saudi Pro League, a staggering 28 points adrift of league leaders Al-Hilal.

The club are without a win since late October, which has since sparked fresh speculation over the long-term future of Gerrard as manager. Were the ex-Liverpool star to be sacked, that will only accelerate Henderson’s desire to head for the exit.

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Despite the Saudi league’s heavy spending, Henderson is plying his trade in front of less than 1000 fans. It marks a steep decline from his days in front of the adoring Anfield faithful.

Though Henderson is currently on an astronomical weekly wage, the tax-free element only kicks in if he honours the first two years of his Al-Ettifaq contract. Returning to the Premier League so soon would leave him with quite the tax bill, £7million in fact.

For Henderson to want out of Saudi so soon may come as a surprise to fans, given how passionately the midfielder defended the transfer upon his arrival having been the subject of plenty of criticism.

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