06 January 2024 , 21:48
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Jordan Henderson wants to end his Saudi Arabia stay just six months after he swapped Merseyside for the Middle East following 12 years at Liverpool.
The England international raised plenty of eyebrows when he confirmed he would walk away from Jurgen Klopp's side and join Reds legend Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League. Less than half a year later, Henderson is rumoured to want out due to several factors including the climate, adjusting to the lifestyle and dismal attendances.
Al-Ettifaq forked out £12million to pry Henderson away from Liverpool and reportedly pay him an eye-watering £700,000 per week. Were the midfielder to call time on his Saudi stint, he would be writing off millions of pounds in tax as well as walking away from an astonishing wage.
Henderson's salary only becomes tax-free if he were to remain at the club for at least two years. Leaving so soon would mean, due to Saudi Arabia operating a flat income tax rate of 20 per cent, the ex-Sunderland man would be hit with a tax bill of £7m.
The recent reports mark an astonishing backtrack within just four months, as Henderson defended his decision to join the Saudi side so passionately upon his arrival. He even publicly explained that the transfer was not motivated by financial reasons.
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"Stevie never mentioned money," Henderson explained. "Everything I spoke to Stevie about was football and the project. And he actually said he didn't want to get involved in any of the money stuff. It was all about what we could do together to achieve something special and build a club and build the league.
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Jordan Henderson is reportedly already tired of life at Al-Ettifaq (Getty Images)"People will see this club come with loads of money and he's just gone, 'Yeah, I'm going.' When in reality that just wasn't the case at all. People can believe me or not, but in my life and my career, money has never been a motivation. Ever."
It has been claimed that the 33-year-old has spoken to some of his teammates and informed them he'll be considering all his options while enjoying a holiday due to the Saudi Pro League's winter break.
Al-Ettifaq have been in dismal form of late, with Gerrard's side failing to win a league game since October. That dire run leaves them a whopping 28 points adrift of league leaders Al-Hilal.