BRING ME HOME
Henderson wants to quit Saudi and return to Premier League
JORDAN HENDERSON is eager to return to the Premier League in a shock move that would cost him millions of pounds in tax and lost wages.
The England midfielder has struggled to settle since completing a £12million transfer from Liverpool to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq last summer and will seriously consider any offers the club receive this month.
Henderson’s problems have been compounded by Al-Ettifaq’s poor form. Manager Steven Gerrard has come under pressure from the owners following a dreadful run stretching back to November that has seen his side fail to win in eight matches.
In another sign of disruption at the Dammam-based club, assistant manager Ian Foster resigned this week to take charge at Championship Plymouth Argyle.
In addition to adjusting to a different lifestyle Henderson (right) has struggled with the heat and humidity. The abuse he has received for moving to Saudi in the first place has also taken its toll. The 33-year-old is understood to have told team-mates he is considering his options before taking a short holiday during the Saudi Pro League’s winter break.
His discontent is such that he would consider taking a major pay cut and writing off millions in tax if he receives a tempting offer from the Premier League. Crystal Palace, Fulham and Newcastle are in the market for central midfielders this month, although with many clubs struggling to comply with the top flight’s spending restrictions he would have to take a significant pay cut.
While Henderson’s salary at Al-Ettifaq has been widely reported as an extraordinary £700,000-a-week, the tax-free element only applies if he honours the first two years of his contract.
With Saudi Arabia operating a flat income tax rate of 20 per cent, returning to England after six months would leave Henderson with a tax bill of around £7m.
A return to the Premier League would boost his prospects of being named in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for this summer’s European Championship.