Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is nearing a move to Saudi Arabia and is leaning towards accepting a mammoth contract offer that would quadruple his salary, according to reports.
The 33-year-old has emerged as a key target for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, who are now managed by Anfield legend Steven Gerrard.
According to the Daily Mail, Henderson has been offered a life-changing salary worth in excess of £700,000 per week.
That is around four times his current £190k-a-week salary, which still has two years left to run, while he can also expect to receive a significant signing on bonus.
Henderson will hold talks with manager Jurgen Klopp in the next 24 hours before making a final decision.
It is possible he could still stay at Anfield but he would need to be assured of a key role in the Liverpool midfield, something that is unlikely to happen.
Klopp identified the midfield as a significant weakness last season and has already brought in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai in big-money deals, while the Merseysiders are thought to be keen to bring in another midfielder on top of that.
They have been linked with the likes of Southampton’s Romeo Lavia and Nice youngster Khephren Thuram, with another new addition bumping Henderson even further down the pecking order.
As such, The Athletic are reporting that Henderson is inclined to accept the deal from Al-Ettifaq.
If he gives the deal the green light, the two clubs will then open talks over a fee with Liverpool yet to have any contact from their Saudi counterparts at this stage.
Liverpool will not stand in the way of their skipper if he asks to be allowed to leave, though they will look to receive a fee given he still has two years left on his contract and made 35 Premier League appearances last season.
Henderson actually inherited the captain’s armband when Gerrard left the club in 2015 and helped the side secure their first title in 30 years.
He has also been a key part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad and is part of the Three Lions’ leadership group, though a move to Saudi would likely end his hopes of playing at next summer’s European Championships.
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