Reports suggest former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson desires to return to the Premier League, merely six months after joining the significant exodus of players to Saudi Arabia. Henderson, who represented Liverpool for 12 seasons, is currently playing under his former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard for Al-Ettifaq. However, things have not gone according to plan, as Gerrard is facing dismissal after not winning any of his last eight matches over two months. Henderson received major criticism for his transfer to Saudi Arabia considering its conservative position on the LGBT+ community, which Henderson has openly advocated for in the past.
Henderson reportedly earns £700,000 per week, but Saudi tax rules mean he won’t pay tax if he stays for at least two seasons.
But the 33-year-old has told teammates he is considering an exit after struggling to adapt to the playing conditions in his new country – and leaving early could see him slugged with a monster £7m tax bill.
The professional football league of Saudi Arabia is presently on a six-week hiatus due to the AFC Asian Cup competition.
When queried about the possibility of signing the English national team player, Chelsea‘s manager Mauricio Pochettino responded: “We did not discuss any names. At this time, we are not talking about players.”
“I met with Behdad [Eghbali], along with Paul [Winstanley] and Laurence [Stewart]. I believe we will have a discussion tomorrow. We did not talk about names or players. For now, we are concentrating on players such as Andrey Santos.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has suggested that the club may not sign any new players during the January transfer window, despite the team currently dealing with multiple injury issues.
Arteta had previously indicated he felt Arsenal needed to bring in reinforcements in order to mount a serious Premier League title challenge.
It’s unfortunate that Jurrien Timber, a significant summer signing, remains sidelined. Additionally, both Fabio Vieira and Thomas Partey are presently dealing with injuries.
Takehiro Tomiyasu is away on international duty with Japan at the Asian Cup.
When asked by Sky Sports about the possibility of no new signings this month, Arteta responded “That’s a possibility.”
He went on to provide an update on Timber’s status, saying “Unfortunately, Jurrien has a very long-term injury. He’s doing really well but is still far from training with the team.”
“With Tomi having to leave for the Asian Cup, it leaves us short-handed. We’re open to bringing in new players during the transfer window, but the focus is on getting the most out of the squad we currently have,” Arteta added.
Reports suggest that Wolverhampton Wanderers are eyeing West Ham forward Danny Ings as a potential transfer target for this window. This interest arises as Wolves appear to be planning to loan out striker Sasa Kaladjzic to Eintracht Frankfurt in the coming month. Ings has played 10 Premier League matches this season but is yet to score a goal or provide an assist.
Indeed, reports suggest that Manchester United have shown interest in acquiring Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise. There’s even talk of a potential player-plus-cash transfer deal, where right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka could be part of the negotiation with Palace. United are keen to bring in Olise and could use Wan Bissaka, who previously played for Palace, as a makeweight in negotiations.
FAQs:
1. Why is former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson considering an exit from Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia?
Henderson, who joined Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, is reportedly struggling to adapt to the playing conditions in the country. Additionally, his former teammate and current manager, Steven Gerrard, is facing potential dismissal after a poor run of matches.
2. What criticism did Henderson face for his move to Saudi Arabia?
Henderson received criticism for his transfer to Saudi Arabia due to the country’s conservative stance on the LGBT+ community, a cause he has openly supported in the past.
3. What are the financial implications for Henderson if he leaves Al-Ettifaq early?
If Henderson leaves before completing two seasons in Saudi Arabia, he might face a substantial £7 million tax bill due to Saudi tax rules.
4. How have managers of English Premier League clubs responded to the possibility of signing Henderson?
Chelsea’s Mauricio Pochettino denied discussing any player names, including Henderson, while Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta indicated the team might not make any new signings despite current injury issues.
5. What updates did Arteta provide about Arsenal’s potential transfers and injured players?
Arteta mentioned the possibility of no new signings during the January transfer window and provided updates on injured players like Jurrien Timber, Fabio Vieira, Thomas Partey, and Takehiro Tomiyasu, who is away on international duty.
6. What transfer rumors involve Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United?
Wolves are reportedly eyeing a transfer for West Ham forward Danny Ings, possibly due to planning a loan deal for striker Sasa Kaladjzic. Meanwhile, Manchester United is said to be interested in Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, potentially considering a player-plus-cash deal involving right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Sources:
More Stuff from West Nia :
- AC Milan’s Star Midfielder Nears Exciting Move to the Turkish Realm
- Tragic Plane Crash Claims Christian Oliver and Daughters
- FAA Mandates Grounding of Specific Boeing 737 Max 9 Aircraft Post Alaska Airlines Incident
- Rose Bowl Drama: Michigan’s Triumph and Alabama’s Heartbreak
- Liverpool Secures a Thrilling Victory Against Newcastle United
- Lee Jae-myung Stabbed in the Neck During Visit to Busan
- Remembering a Legend: Starsky & Hutch’s David Soul Passes Away at 80
- UK Stocks Dip in Risk-Off Mood
- Michigan Sells $842 Million Powerball Ticket
- Harvard President Claudine Gay Resigns
- Thunder’s Triumph: Gilgeous-Alexander’s 36 Points Lead Thunder to Fifth Consecutive Victory Over League-Leading Celtics
- Earthquake of 4.2 Magnitude Hits Inland Empire; No Significant Damage Reported