Jordan Henderson's shock Premier League return: The state of play

Tom Weber

• Updated: 9 Jan 2024 11:11 GMT
• 3 min read

Jordan Henderson is reportedly ready to quit the Saudi Pro League. Could he make a spectacular return to the Premier League?

The former Liverpool captain was one of the myriad Europe-based superstars who headed to Saudi Arabia in the summer, following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo. Henderson joined up with former teammate and fellow Reds legend Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq.

It was a controversial move at the time and it has not really worked out well for the veteran midfielder. Under Gerrard, Ettifaq only sit eighth in the Pro League standings despite being one of the summer's biggest spenders out of the clubs that weren't taken over by the government's Public Investment Fund.

The 33-year-old is reportedly fed up with the state of the game in Saudi Arabia and the small crowds. It is claimed that Henderson is desperate to return to Europe, but how realistic is it that anyone takes a gamble on the ageing midfielder, who has looked off the pace when featuring for England?

Henderson back in the Premier League?

It has been claimed that Henderson has offered himself to Bundesliga sides Bayern and league leaders Bayer Leverkusen. However, according to Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg, Henderson is not a topic of discussion at the latter and it seems unlikely that Bayern would make a move for him too.

However, a return to the Premier League seems possible, albeit unlikely as things stand. According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Al-Ettifaq are yet to receive any kind of approach for the midfielder. Moreover, in the event of a departure, they would want to make a profit on their original €14 million investment or see his salary covered fully as part of a loan.

This fact makes a move to the continent improbable as few sides would be prepared to pay that kind of money for a player of his age, though Turkey may perhaps be an exception. Given the financial power of the Premier League, however, there may be someone tempted to pursue a deal.

Sheffield United have recently been linked with a move for fellow Liverpool legend Roberto Firmino, who is also said to be unhappy in Saudi Arabia. That calibre of team, relegation-battler to mid-table, could be Henderson's only realistic option for a Premier League return.