- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Jordan Henderson’s future has dominated the January transfer window and now it looks like his next destination will finally be decided.
HITC Football sources can confirm that Jordan Henderson is due in Amsterdam on Thursday to have a medical at European giants Ajax.
The deal is set to be completed in time for the £13m midfielder to feature on Saturday in their Eredivisie fixture against Heracles.
As confirmed by HITC Football yesterday, Henderson has agreed a ‘multi-year’ deal that will see him stay at the Johan Cruyff Arena until 2026.
Ajax have broken their wage structure to make Henderson their highest-paid player, however, sources close to the England international suggest he won’t have taken any wages from his time in Saudi Arabia – which is believed in part due to his tax situation in the UK.
Henderson set for Ajax medical
It’s been clear throughout the January transfer window that Jordan Henderson has wanted to leave the Saudi Pro League.
The 33-year-old was one of the league’s marquee signings when he switched from Liverpool in the summer.
Alongside the likes of Neymar, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante, the Saudi Pro League was suddenly becoming one of the strongest leagues in world football.
Henderson has now decided that after six months, it’s time for him to move on after holding exit talks with Al-Ettifaq.
He was keen on a move back to the Premier League and HITC Football understands that he was offered to plenty of top-flight English clubs including Arsenal and Liverpool.
However, Henderson will now have a medical at Ajax on Thursday as he makes a return to European football.
It will be fascinating to see if he can show a level of form that will guarantee him a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad and make several Premier League teams wonder if they made the right call not making their move for the 81-cap international.
Henderson entering tough situation in the Netherlands
While Ajax have famously been one of the strongest teams in Europe, this season hasn’t gone to plan.
They were sitting in the relegation zone at one point and are currently 23 points behind Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven.
Not only that, they had a poor campaign in the Europa League and have dropped down in the Europa Conference League.
Henderson will have to get up to speed quickly at Ajax after his medical to help the team try and qualify for the Champions League next season.
He’s going to have his work cut out to achieve those goals but his experience might be just what a relatively young squad need.
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