Jordan Henderson facing cash nightmare as Liverpool icon ‘hasn’t yet been paid’ in Saudi | Football | Sport
Jordan Henderson has reportedly not been paid since he joined Al-Ettifaq from Liverpool during the summer transfer window. The midfielder is set to join Ajax later this week after growing restless in the Middle East, and he does not have a penny to show for his stint in the Saudi Pro League at this stage.
Liverpool orchestrated a major midfield rebuild over the summer, with several new signings acquired to breathe a fresh lease of life into the department. Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch were all purchased, with ageing stalwarts made to make way.
James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita were all offloaded, with Fabinho and Henderson sold to Saudi Arabian outfits to raise funds after it became clear that they would struggle for minutes at Anfield this season.
The duo joined the growing group of proven stars willing to up sticks and head to the Middle East, though it hasn’t gone to plan for Henderson. The England international quickly grew unhappy in the Saudi Pro League and headed into this month’s window with the intention of forcing an exit and returning to Europe.
Henderson is now closing in on a move to Ajax, having agreed with Al Ettifaq to mutually terminate his contract with the club. According to The Telegraph, the ex-Sunderland star has not been paid since he joined the club six months ago as he opted to have deferred salary payments.
The midfielder was set to earn £350,000 per week whilst playing for Steven Gerrard’s side but opted for the payments to be deferred.
Henderson is said to have opted for the deferral so that he could return to the United Kingdom and play for England in the short term without having to be wary of the time limitations placed on those who are not UK taxpayers.
Those close to the player are not expecting Al-Ettifaq to pay the six months’ worth of wages to the midfielder now, with Henderson’s spell in Saudi Arabia fittingly ending on the sourest of notes – having lost the respect of many by heading to the country initially.
Ajax will be an opportunity for the 33-year-old to attempt to win back the support of fans and remain in Gareth Southgate’s England plans for the Euros at the end of the season. He is set to take a mammoth pay decrease and will earn £85,000 a week in the Eredivisie, having agreed on an 18-month deal with the higher powers at the club.
