Jordan Henderson is eyeing a return to the Premier League following his £12million move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq.
Less than six months after making the money-spinning move to Saudi Arabia, Jordan Henderson could be on his way back to the Premier League.
The 33-year-old joined Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq for £12million back in July. He has since made 19 appearances for the Saudi Pro League side. However, Henderson has struggled to settle in the Middle East and will seriously consider offers the club receive this month.
Henderson’s woes have been compounded by Al-Etiffaq’s run of nine matches without a win, which has put Gerrard under increased pressure. As well as the different lifestyle, Henderson has struggled with the heat and humidity of the playing conditions, while Al-Ettifaq’s average attendance of 7,800 has left a lot to be desired.
The England international is understood to have told his team-mates he is contemplating his options, with Henderson eyeing an instant return to the Premier League.
With Liverpool being among his return options, comments from his old boss Jurgen Klopp made when Henderson left Merseyside in the summer have resurfaced and quashed any speculation linking the midfielder with a shock return to the Reds. Klopp specifically cited the lack of game time on offer at Anfield as the former captain’s main issue.
Speaking back in September of last year after Henderson claimed his departure was partly inspired by wanting to feel “valued”, Klopp replied: “Hendo said the truth. That’s how it was. We had talks. I told him I wanted him to stay but we talked about maybe not playing regularly”.
“I cannot tell a player they can have 50 games because I don’t know that. In our relationship, I thought it was important we speak about ‘what happens if’. Hendo, I love him but he was not great when they didn’t play, [James] Milner and Lucas [Leiva] were the same. So we talk about that now.”
“So, in Hendo’s ears and mind, he thought I didn’t want him there. If I said Hendo would be the main man for me he would stay but I couldn’t. That’s why it’s better he moved on. Not a bit of bad blood. Captain of the best Liverpool team in the Premier League era.”
There is growing belief that Henderson would be more than willing to take a major pay cut and write off millions in tax if it meant he could return to the Premier League. However, there is hardly an overwhelming amount of suitors for the ageing ex-Sunderland man.