Jordan Henderson and Fabinho not yet subjects of bids from Saudi Arabian clubs

Henderson has reportedly already decided to accept a deal with Al Ettifaq worth a reported £700,000 per week.

Carl Markham
Friday 14 July 2023 15:40 BST
Liverpool have yet to receive any bids for midfielders Fabinho and Jordan Henderson (right) despite fevered speculation linking both to Saudi Arabian clubs (Zac Goodwin/PA)
Liverpool have yet to receive any bids for midfielders Fabinho and Jordan Henderson (right) despite fevered speculation linking both to Saudi Arabian clubs (Zac Goodwin/PA) (PA Archive)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Speculation surrounding the future of Liverpool midfielders Jordan Henderson and Fabinho has not yet translated into actual bids for the players.

The interest in Henderson, in particular, from Al Ettifaq – managed by former team-mate Steven Gerrard – has resulted in claims the 33-year-old has already decided to accept a deal worth a reported £700,000 per week.

However, Liverpool will not allow their captain, who has two years remaining on his contract, to leave for free despite suggestions on the contrary emanating from the Middle East.

The £20million Al Hilal spent on Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly, 32, this summer is seen as a more realistic benchmark.

Fabinho is being linked with a move to Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad, one of four Saudi Arabian clubs owned by the country’s Public Investment Fund, who are reportedly willing to pay £40m for a player who turns 30 in October.

But it is understood so far there has been no offer for him either and with the squad due to depart for their pre-season camp in Germany on Saturday both players are expected to travel having returned to training earlier this week.

Liverpool’s midfield is undergoing a revamp this summer, with the experienced James Milner joining Brighton and the contracts of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita expiring.

They have been replaced by Argentina’s World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister, aged 24, and 22-year-old Hungary captain Dominik Szobozslai for a combined £95m.

That may mean reduced playing time for Henderson, who has lifted every elite trophy during his captaincy of the club, but he remains an integral part of the dressing room.

Manager Jurgen Klopp described the 10-day training camp, after less-than-satisfactory preparations a year ago, as “super-important”, especially as it will provide some of the younger players like Conor Bradley, Ben Doak and Bobby Clark with the opportunity to make a step up.

“There are now not too many new players but a lot of young players for whom the door is open, who can play a different role next season,” he told the club’s website.

“We have a lot of sessions there, not a lot of spare time, I would say. Two games, one in the middle (against Karlsruher), one at the end (Greuther Furth)

“So, bring it all together and train as much as somehow possible, having short ways back to the bed or to the canteen or restaurant, that’s good.”

After returning from Germany, Klopp’s squad will head out to Singapore for matches against Leicester and Bayern Munich.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in