10 months ago
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Jordan Henderson is in talks to join Italian giants Juventus on loan as he looks to make an early escape from his controversial move to Saudi Arabia, according to reports.
The 33-year-old left Liverpool to move to the Middle East just six months ago, joining Saudi’s PIF-backed Al-Ettifaq – becoming the Premier League’s most high-profile player to do so in the process.
But he is said to be unsettled in Saudi Arabia and struggling with the heat and humidity of the playing conditions.
Al-Ettifaq’s poor attendance figures – which has seen an average of just over 7,000 fans at each game this season – are also a contributing factor, as is the backlash he faced from the LGBTQ+ community over the move to Saudi.
Henderson had hoped to secure a return to the Premier League but has had precious little interest, though Dutch giants Ajax have enquired about his availability.
Now Gazzetta dello Sport are reporting that Juventus have made a play to sign Henderson and are in advanced talks with the player and his entourage.
Juve are hoping to secure a loan rather than a transfer, something Al-Ettifaq are willing to accommodate with the Saudi league wary of preventing unhappy players from leaving as it could hinder their attempts to attract players in the future.
The Old Lady would pay no loan fee and Henderson is hoping to secure an 18-month stay, which would cover the duration of his remaining contract with Al-Ettifaq.
He is also willing to take an enormous hit on the mammoth salary package he is currently on, having been handed a £692,000-a-week deal by the Saudi side.
With the season already at the midway point, Juve have offered a salary worth €2million (£1.7m) for the remainder of the campaign, which works out at around £60,000-a-week – effectively a 90 per cent pay cut.
Henderson is ready to take the hit so he can return to top-level football, while he is hopeful a move to Serie A would secure his place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the Euros.
Juve boss Max Allegri has already given the signing the green light and he feels Henderson would provide some much-needed experience in the middle of the pitch.
Henderson has 17 appearances and four assists in the Saudi Pro League this season, though Al-Ettifaq have struggled for form, currently on a nine-game winless streak, and sit in 8th place in the table, 28 points adrift of league leaders Al-Hilal.
MORE : Mauricio Pochettino coy about Chelsea signing Jordan Henderson in January
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