Premier League and Championship sides ponder shock Jordan Henderson swoop
Former Liverpool and Sunderland star Jordan Henderson has been in the Netherlands with Ajax since January but could make a return to English foitball ahead of schedule
by Tom Victor · The MirrorFormer Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson could be in line for a shock Premier League return at the age of 34.
Henderson left Anfield last summer after more than a decade, joining Saudi club Al-Ettifaq. His time in the Middle East didn't last long, though, and he jumped ship for Ajax in January.
The midfielder was a regular for the Dutch side when fit last season, making nine starts under interim boss John van 't Schip. Francesco Farioli took over in the summer, though, and the former Nice manager has preferred other players in the middle.
Henderson has started just twice in the league this season, with summer signing Davy Klaassen coming in for him in the victory at RKC Waalwijk in late September. A number of English clubs are reportedly keen on a January loan, though the fall-out from his Saudi switch could cause issues.
According to The Sun, Henderson's former club Sunderland are among the interested parties. The midfielder made his senior debut with the Black Cats as a teenager, making 79 appearances before joining Liverpool in 2011.
The same outlet suggests the potential tax issues which stood in the way of a direct move from Saudi Arabia to England last January could remain a stumbling block. However, a number of unnamed Premier League clubs are said to also be on alert.
While Henderson has been in and out of Ajax's team in the league, he has featured more prominently in Europe. The veteran started all of his team's Europa League qualifiers as well as their first league phase game, but missed Thursday's draw with Slavia Prague through injury.
Can you see Jordan Henderson returning to England? Have your say in the comments section
In September, Henderson expressed his frustration after Ajax lost Carlos Forbs to Wolves and Steven Bergwijn to Al-Ittihad. “They are two great players. Every team would have missed them, of course," he said after a draw with Go Ahead Eagles. "But we still have other players, who are also good. Players who can create chances and are especially dangerous in the final third.
"We managed to do that against Fortuna, but not tonight. Hopefully we learn from it. It’s also not ideal to lose one or two of your wingers on the final day of the transfer market. We have lost quality.
“But with the guys who played today, it was possible. We have to help them get into one-on-one situations, but they didn’t bring anything. It’s not just the wingers, but it has to be better.”
Ajax finished fifth in the Eredivisie last season as they struggled to come to terms with the loss of stars including Mohammed Kudus and Jurrien Timber. Farioli's team sit sixth ahead of Sunday's meeting with Groningen, though they have games in hand on the teams above them.
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