A recent report suggests that the 33-year-old midfielder is hesitant to reunite with Gerrard and move to the Middle East at this stage of his career. Henderson, who still has two years left on his contract at Anfield, desires to continue playing at the highest level to secure his place in the England squad for Euro 2024.
However, the Daily Mail reveals that Henderson has reconsidered a potential transfer to Saudi Arabia. The report states that Al-Ettifaq has presented Henderson with a two-year contract offer worth £140,000 per week, a 50% increase from his current Liverpool salary. The deal includes the option of a 12-month extension based on performance-related targets.
Preliminary discussions have taken place between the parties involved, and Gerrard's team plans to approach Liverpool formally before the weekend.
Henderson is said to be enticed by the proposal and will make a final decision on his Liverpool future by the end of this week, either on Thursday or Friday.
Liverpool's No.14 joined Anfield from his boyhood club Sunderland in 2011 and played alongside Gerrard for three-and-a-half seasons before Gerrard's departure to join Los Angeles Galaxy in January 2015.
Since Gerrard's exit, Henderson has been the captain of Liverpool, enjoying a successful 12-year career at the club. He has won a total of eight trophies, including the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Champions League, and FIFA Club World Cup. Henderson, an England international with 77 caps, has made 492 appearances for Liverpool across all competitions, scoring 33 goals and providing 61 assists. Manager Jurgen Klopp still considers him an important member of the first-team squad.
If Henderson agrees to join Al-Ettifaq, he could become the first English player to compete in the Saudi Pro League. He would follow in the footsteps of former Liverpool teammate Roberto Firmino, who is currently at Al-Ahli.
Liverpool has already seen the departure of three midfielders this summer—James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita. However, the club has recently spent nearly £100 million to acquire Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister.
Henderson is not the only Liverpool player linked with a move to Saudi Arabia this summer. Thiago Alcantara has reportedly declined a lucrative offer from an unnamed Saudi Pro League club.
