Jordan Henderson has reportedly said his goodbye to Liverpool teammates and staff ahead of a £12m move to Saudi Arabia side Al-Ettifaq.
According to the Daily Mail, the 33-year-old midfielder has now bid farewell to the Anfield side with Henderson expected to complete his surprise move to the Middle East to reunite with former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.
The Reds skipper, who joined the club in 2011 from Sunderland for a reported £20m, will soon be joined in Saudi Arabia by Fabinho, who is due to sign for Al-Ittihad in a surprising £40m deal.
Henderson’s move to Saudi Arabia will feel like a true ending of an era for Liverpool supporters, with nobody expecting the midfielder to depart Merseyside this summer, much less for the Middle East.
The England international played a key role in Liverpool’s UEFA Champions Leauge and Premier League triumphs as well as last year’s domestic cup double, with Henderson leaving this club as a modern-day icon.
Whilst Henderson’s move to Saudi Arabia might tarnish his legacy in a big way for the majority of supporters, the move will allow Liverpool to speed up their midfield rebuild, with a new signing expected to be made soon.
Liverpool have to be smart in replacing Henderson this summer
Hailed by Jurgen Klopp as an ‘outstanding’ player, replacing Henderson’s influence both on and off the pitch will be no small feat for Liverpool. Yet with the money the Reds are recouping, the task could be easier than first thought.
As we know, Liverpool have a number of midfield targets in mind to sign this summer, and selling Henderson will make it easier for Klopp to find a replacement for the 33-year-old England international.
Romeo Lavia and Joao Palhinha remain top targets for Liverpool, and moves for either midfielder could now be in the making with Henderson’s transfer set to be announced in the coming days.
