Al Etiffaq have agreed to terminate Jordan Henderson's contract after only six months; midfielder will leave their training camp in Abu Dhabi and return to England, as he searches for a new club; Ajax remain in talks over a permanent deal to sign the midfielder
Wednesday 17 January 2024 12:05, UK
Jordan Henderson can leave Saudi Arabia after Al Ettifaq agreed to terminate his contract.
They have also agreed to let him leave their training camp in Abu Dhabi and return to England, as he searches for a new club.
It has been no secret that Henderson struggled to settle into life in the Middle East.
Dutch giants Ajax remain in talks over a permanent deal to sign him.
On Monday, Sky Sports News reported that Ajax were positive about striking a deal and hoping to do so this week.
Ajax coach John van 't Schip has already confirmed that the Amsterdam club would be keen to welcome the England international, in an attempt to revive their dwindling season.
They are 23 points shy of league leaders PSV and believe Henderson could help them push for European qualification during the remainder of the campaign.
Henderson has played 19 times for Al Ettifaq, who are coached by former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard.
Dutch football expert Marcel van der Kraan speaking to Sky Sports News live from Amsterdam:
"Normally £5m is the maximum wage structure for any player joining Ajax, and I've never seen them break the bank before, but they really need to change something in the squad and need to change results.
"They seem prepared to break the bank to pay Jordan Henderson a much bigger wage than they've ever paid a player before."
The winter transfer window is now open and will close at 11pm in England and midnight in Scotland on Thursday 1 February, 2024.
To ensure harmonisation with the major leagues in Europe, the closing dates were set following discussions with the EFL, DFL, Serie A, LaLiga, and LFP, who will all close their summer and winter windows on 1 September and 1 February respectively.
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports' digital platforms, while you can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News, including daily transfer shows, and listen to our Transfer Talk podcast.
