Liverpool midfielder, Jordan Henderson, will be absent from the team’s initial pre-season match against German club Karlsruher as negotiations continue regarding a potential transfer to Al-Ettifaq, managed by Steven Gerrard.
Reports indicate that Al-Ettifaq has reached an agreement with Liverpool for the 33-year-old, with the transfer fee set at £12 million (€13 million/$15 million).
Consequently, Henderson was excluded from Liverpool’s first pre-season friendly.
It is reported that Henderson is set to earn a substantial weekly salary of around £700,000 by joining Al-Ettifaq, following the trend of English players moving to the Middle East.
Additionally, Henderson’s teammate Fabinho is currently in discussions regarding a possible move to the Middle East, with Al-Ittihad reportedly nearing a £40 million (€46 million/$51 million) deal.
Nothing is official yet, but Henderson’s move will damage his reputation among Liverpool supporters and those within the LGBT+ community, given Henderson’s pro-LGBT+ stance in the past.
It could also be likely the move will signal the end of his England career.