Transfer Centre

Jordan Henderson 'holds talks over Juventus loan move'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 13 January 2024

Juventus are reportedly in talks over a loan move for Al Ettifaq midfielder Jordan Henderson, who is desperate to leave the Saudi Pro League strugglers.

Italian giants Juventus have reportedly held talks with Al Ettifaq midfielder Jordan Henderson over a potential loan move.

The former Liverpool captain is rumoured to be pining for an exit from the Saudi Pro League club only a few months after his highly controversial switch to Steven Gerrard's side.

Henderson ended a glittering 12-year spell with Liverpool to follow a plethora of other high-profile names to the Middle East, where it was initially reported that he was earning in the region of £700,000 a week.

The 33-year-old denied such claims and insisted that his switch to Saudi Arabia was not financially motivated, but he is still believed to be pocketing a whopping £350,000 a week in the Gulf state.

As part of his reasoning for joining the Saudi Pro League, Henderson announced his desire to grow the game in the country and be a positive influence, but his move was met with particular criticism given his support for the LGBTQ+ Community.

England midfielder Jordan Henderson after the match on October 13, 2023 © Reuters

Henderson has made an impact on the pitch for Al Ettifaq with five assists from 19 games in all tournaments, but as a team, Gerrard's side have failed to win any of their last eight Saudi Pro League matches during a miserable stretch of form.

Al Ettifaq's winless sequence sees them languish in eighth place in the table, 28 points below leaders Al-Hilal, and the club have also lost assistant manager Ian Foster to Plymouth Argyle.

Low attendances are also believed to be a factor in Henderson's desire to return to Europe, although a Liverpool reunion is off the cards, and it is unclear whether any other Premier League teams would be willing to welcome him back.

Instead, Sky Sports News claims that Juventus could offer the 33-year-old a pathway back to his home continent, although there are disagreements over the length of any possible loan deal.

Henderson apparently wants to spend the next 18 months of his career on loan at the Allianz Stadium, but the Old Lady are only willing to sanction a deal until the end of the season.

Al-Ettifaq and England midfielder Jordan Henderson pictured in June 2023 © Reuters

Juventus have been expected to bolster their midfield ranks since Paul Pogba and Nicolo Fagioli were both suspended for off-field misdemeanours, with the former testing positive for non-endogenous testosterone earlier in the season.

Pogba has not yet received an official ban, but anti-doping prosecutors are believed to be seeking the maximum four-year suspension for the Frenchman, which would spell the end of his second stint in Turin.

Meanwhile, Fagioli was suspended for seven months in October after admitting to betting on illegal platforms, but the Italy international will be eligible to return to action in pre-season.

Al Ettifaq are also determined not to lose Henderson and have supposedly ruled out a loan exit for the England international, who has often been booed by Three Lions fans since his Saudi switch.

Nevertheless, Dutch giants Ajax could also apparently try their luck over a move for Henderson, who is not due to become a free agent until the summer of 2026.