Transfer Centre

Jordan Henderson 'set to snub Steven Gerrard reunion in Saudi Arabia'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 11 July 2023

Henderson 'set to snub Gerrard reunion in Saudi Arabia'

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson is reportedly reluctant to move to Saudi Arabia this summer amid interest from Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq.

Reds legend Gerrard was surprisingly unveiled as the new manager of Al-Ettifaq earlier this month, and the 43-year-old has since been tipped to delve into the Premier League market for new signings.

A recent report claims that Liverpool captain Henderson and Chelsea forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are two of Gerrard's top targets ahead of the new Saudi Pro League season starting on August 11.

After joining Liverpool from boyhood club Sunderland in 2011, Henderson played alongside Gerrard for three-and-a-half seasons, winning the 2012 EFL Cup during that period, before the latter ended his illustrious career at Anfield to join Los Angeles Galaxy in January 2015.

Henderson was handed the captain's armband at Liverpool following Gerrard's departure and he has since lifted seven more trophies over the last eight seasons including the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

Jordan Henderson in action for Liverpool on August 6, 2022 © Reuters

The midfielder has contributed with 33 goals and 61 assists in 492 appearances for Liverpool across all competitions and he is still regarded as an integral first-team member of Jurgen Klopp's squad.

Klopp has already seen three midfielders depart the club this summer – James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – and he will be keen to keep hold of Henderson, who still has two years remaining on his contract at Anfield.

Despite interest from Gerrard and Al-Ettifaq, the Daily Mail claims that Henderson is against the idea of moving to Saudi Arabia this summer.

The report adds that "exploratory talks" between representatives acting on behalf of Al-Ettifaq and Henderson have taken place, although This Is Anfield claims that the Saudi club are yet to make contact with the Englishman.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reacts on May 6, 2023 © Reuters

Interest from the Middle East in Henderson comes at a time when fellow Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara has reportedly turned down a lucrative offer from an unnamed Saudi Arabian club.

The Reds have seen one player swap Anfield for the Saudi Pro League this summer, though, as forward Roberto Firmino has joined Al-Ahli on a free transfer upon the expiration of his contract.

Klopp is undergoing a midfield rebuild at Liverpool this summer, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister having already arrived at the club for a combined fee close to £100m.

Southampton's £50m-rated teenager Romeo Lavia is also on Liverpool's radar, as well as Celta Vigo's Gabri Veiga and Real Madrid's Federico Valverde, although the Reds are understood to have withdrawn their interest in Nice's Khephren Thuram.