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Phil HaighPublished Jan 17, 2024, 11:36am|Updated Jan 17, 2024, 11:37am
Former Netherlands manager Bert van Marwijk has advised Ajax against signing Jordan Henderson this month, saying he will not be value for money.
The England midfielder is set to leave Saudi side Al Ettifaq after just six months, reaching an agreement to have his contract terminated.
The 33-year-old has made just 19 appearances for Steven Gerrard’s team and will leave without scoring a goal for them, having quickly become disillusioned with life in Saudi Arabia.
Ajax are offering Henderson a route back to Europe and are close to agreeing a permanent deal for the former Liverpool captain, but Van Marwijk reckons is is a bad idea for the Dutch giants.
After a shocking start to the season Ajax are only fifth in the Eredivisie and Van Marwijk cannot see Henderson making a big difference to their campaign, certainly not enough to justify the wages he will command.
‘What is reality? That you will bring in the expensive Henderson, whose salary I understand is already at least six million euros, to reach the Europa League or Conference League,’ Van Marwijk wrote in De Telegraaf.
‘I have often seen Henderson play for the England national team and Liverpool. I don’t think he is a player who makes a difference in terms of scoring or setting up the organization at Ajax.
‘If you also look at the total costs – a player who earned a fortune in Saudi Arabia often receives signing money in addition to his salary to compensate him for the loss of his money – then I wouldn’t do it if I were to look to the future at Ajax.’
The 71-year-old noted that expensive signings are quite rare in Dutch football and he would be looking at cheaper options than Henderson in January to add to the Ajax squad.
‘If it concerns a player worth around two million euros and you really need someone to fill a gap, then it is possible,’ he said. ‘But large investments á la Henderson are something different for Eredivisie standards and a club like Ajax.’
Ajax returned from their winter break with a 3-2 win at Go Ahead Eagles on Sunday, but their woeful start to the season means they are already 23 points behind league leaders PSV.
That is also down to PSV’s incredible campaign so far, winning all 17 of their league matches.
MORE : Jordan Henderson agrees Saudi exit and deal to join Ajax in permanent move
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