Liverpool and Al-Ettifaq have reportedly reached an agreement for Jordan Henderson to become the latest European star to find refuge in Saudi Arabia.
Fabrizio Romano claims the Saudi Pro League club have found common ground with the Reds after acquiring the midfielder’s permission to broker his switch from Anfield.
Henderson instantly agreed to Al-Ettifaq’s monstrous contract proposal, having been offered a lucrative three-year deal worth a mind-blowing £700,000 per week.
The 33-year-old’s acceptance could be driven by more than the economic aspects, considering his first-team prospects dwindled toward the end of last season.
Alexis Mac Allister’s arrival from Brighton & Hove Albion earlier in the summer may have tipped the scales, making Henderson lean towards halting his trophy-laden 12-year association with Liverpool.
Despite being invited by his former Reds teammate Gerrard to join him in Saudi Arabia, the Englishman’s departure wasn’t a foregone conclusion, especially after jetting off to Germany with the rest of the squad yesterday.
Unlike Henderson, Fabinho skipped the flight amid a concrete interest from another Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad, who offered Liverpool £40m for the Brazilian’s services last week.
But his omission from Jurgen Klopp’s squad to encounter German’s second-tier team Karlsruher on Wednesday was the first indication that something is happening behind the scenes.
Liverpool and Al-Ettifaq have been at odds over the veteran’s valuation. However, the player’s consent has hastened the operation, allowing Gerrard to land the Reds captain.
Klopp must have been aware of the situation, considering the Merseyside heavyweights have already placed a watchful eye on Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucoure.
Based on both players’ characteristics, the 23-year-old Malian is hardly the spitting image of the former Sunderland ace, given he is more a box-to-box type while running has never been Henderson’s strong suit.
Southampton’s Romeo Lavia would be a more suitable profile, although the Saints are ready to drive a hard bargain despite being relegated from the Premier League.
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