Liverpool reach agreement with Al-Ettifaq to sell Jordan Henderson
Deal in principle has been struck between Liverpool and Al-Ettifaq of Saudi Pro League for transfer of club captain Jordan Henderson.
Jordan Henderson is poised to link up with former team-mate Steven Gerrard after Liverpool agreed a £12million deal to sell their captain.
The Reds have reached an agreement in principle with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq over a basic fee of £12m that could later rise.
Having been part of the Liverpool squad that flew out to Germany for a 10-day training camp at the weekend, Henderson was not involved in the opening friendly at Karlsruher SC on Wednesday with the Reds having finally received an official approach from Al-Ettifaq after several weeks of speculation.
Liverpool had no intention of allowing Henderson to depart for a cut-price fee, with reports having previously suggested the Saudi side had wanted to take the 33-year-old on a free.
But with a deal now having been thrashed out, the England international must decide whether to make the controversial move to the Middle East and a reputed £350,000-a-week contract.
With Fabinho also on the brink of a move to Saudi Arabia with Liverpool having accepted a £40m offer from champions Al-Ittihad, Jurgen Klopp now faces the prospect of losing his two experienced defensive midfield options inside a matter of days.
Also missing out from the Liverpool matchday squad for today were Alisson Becker, Thiago Alcantara, Nat Phillips, Stefan Bajcetic, Adrian, Marcelo Pitaluga and Melkamu Frauendorf.
While a couple of those stars are stepping up recovery from injury, the exclusion of Phillips raised a second transfer question beyond that of Henderson.
Leeds United, as well as several other teams, are believed to be weighing up a move for the 26-year-old defender. Alisson, meanwhile, missed out tonight as a precaution.