Liverpool Football Club is said to have given the green light for the transfers of two of their prominent midfield players, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, to clubs in Saudi Arabia. The 29-year-old Brazilian international, Fabinho, has been left out of Liverpool’s pre-season camp in Germany as Al-Ittihad, the champions of the Saudi Pro League, expressed keen interest in acquiring his services.
According to a recent report, Fabinho has already reached a personal agreement with Al-Ittihad, who have put forth a substantial £40 million bid to secure his talents. Meanwhile, the club’s captain, Jordan Henderson, has caught the eye of Al-Ettifaq, now managed by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.
Henderson, 33, has been included in Jurgen Klopp’s pre-season squad, but rumors suggest he has entered into a verbal agreement to move to the Middle East. The reputable Football Insider reports that Liverpool is on the verge of finalizing the sales of both Fabinho and Henderson, expecting their departures from the club to be official within the week, following the completion of their medical examinations.
While Fabinho’s transfer is set to yield £40 million for Liverpool, the valuation of Henderson’s move remains undisclosed. However, the report indicates that the England international has consented to an astonishing £700,000-per-week salary as part of a two-year contract with Al-Ettifaq.
It’s apparent that Liverpool is reluctant to part with Henderson easily and could demand a transfer fee of up to £20 million for the midfielder, who still has two years left on his Anfield contract. Henderson has been an integral part of the club since his arrival from Sunderland in 2011, especially during his partnership with Steven Gerrard before the latter’s departure to Los Angeles Galaxy in 2015.
As Liverpool fans prepare to bid farewell to these midfield stalwarts, it’s worth noting their significant contributions to the club’s success. Henderson, who succeeded Gerrard as captain, has made 492 appearances for the Reds, scoring 33 goals and providing 61 assists en route to eight major trophies, including the prestigious Premier League and Champions League.
Similarly, Fabinho’s impact since his arrival from Monaco in 2018 has been commendable, with 11 goals and 10 assists in 219 games, resulting in seven trophies. The Brazilian has been an essential pillar in Klopp’s midfield, although his form dipped slightly last season.
With Fabinho set to join the ranks of Al-Ittihad’s high-profile signings, including the likes of Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, and Jota, Henderson is poised to become the first addition for Al-Ettifaq under the management of Gerrard.
Liverpool, having already witnessed the departures of James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita, may not be done with their midfield overhaul. Thiago Alcantara, along with Henderson and Fabinho, has also been linked to a potential move to Saudi Arabia or even Barcelona.
As the transfer window continues, Liverpool fans will be keeping a close eye on the developments surrounding their beloved club and the exciting prospects that lie ahead. For now, the imminent departures of Fabinho and Henderson mark the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in the storied history of Liverpool Football Club.