Jordan Henderson has come to an agreement with Al Ettifaq to depart from the Saudi Pro League club and is on the verge of joining Ajax on a permanent basis, according to sources familiar with the deal.
As reported by The Athletic, the England international and his current team are in the process of finalising the termination of a three-year contract he signed last summer, ensuring no transfer fee will be involved in the midfielder’s departure.
Simultaneously, Henderson is returning to the UK from Al Ettifaq’s winter training camp in Abu Dhabi, having agreed to a switch to Ajax in principle.
The proposed move also necessitates paperwork and details to be sorted out before the 33-year-old former Liverpool midfielder's return to European football is complete, following a brief stint in the SPL.
Henderson's exit from Saudi Arabia occurs just six months after his move from Anfield.
In July, Henderson concluded a 12-year tenure at Liverpool to move to Saudi Arabia, and in September, he defended his switch after facing widespread criticism. In an exclusive interview with The Athletic, he expressed his desire to "achieve something special and build a club and build the league."
He made 17 appearances in the SPL, providing four assists for the team managed by former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard but leaves midway through his first season with the club.
Al Ettifaq could utilise the funds from Jordan Henderson’s departure to acquire another Liverpool legend.
It is believed that Ettifaq stands to earn around £8 million net from Henderson’s departure after the midfielder agreed to a 75 per cent pay cut in his attempt to join Ajax.
He will also pay Steven Gerrard’s side an additional bonus if the Dutch giants qualify for Europe.
Meanwhile, talkSPORT reports that Ettifaq plans to use the incoming funds in this window, with Henderson’s ex-Liverpool teammate Roberto Firmino being considered.
The Brazilian forward has struggled since joining Al Ahli on a free transfer, having failed to score since his debut hat-trick.
It is believed that Firmino is frustrated by Al Ahli’s system, with the club willing to loan him out in the New Year.
Ettifaq is interested in securing his services, with Gerrard known to be a huge admirer of the former Hoffenheim star.
Alongside Firmino, Jota, who swapped Celtic for Al Ittihad last summer, is another player on Ettifaq’s radar.