Jordan Henderson left Liverpool in a surprise move to Saudi Arabia two years ago, but he could now be set to return to England— via Ajax — with another transfer option having opened up.
Ajax collapsed in remarkable fashion at the end of the Eredivisie season, with manager Francesco Farioli having since parted ways with the club. Until the last few weeks, it had been the best campaign for some time for Ajax.
However, despite being nine points clear with five games to go, it somehow managed to pick up just two points from four fixtures, allowing PSV to overtake in the league standings. A win finally came on the final day but by then it was too late.
According to Ben Jacobs, Henderson could now be set for an Ajax exit, with a return to Sunderland a possibility. The North East side, of course, has returned to the Premier League after beating Sheffield United in the play-off final last weekend.
Henderson grew up as a Sunderland fan and moved to Liverpool in 2011. But it has always felt likely that he would end up with the Black Cats more than a decade on.
The former Liverpool captain still has another year left to run on his Ajax contract. He could have moved to AS Monaco in January but ended up staying put.
Jordan Henderson and Steven Gerrard before the EURO 2024 qualifying game between England and North Macedonia.
Jordan Henderson and Steven Gerrard before the EURO 2024 qualifying game between England and North Macedonia. (Image: Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Henderson, now 34, won the Premier League and the Champions League with Liverpool. Under Thomas Tuchel, he has now regained his place in the England squad and might even have a chance of making next summer's World Cup.
Ajax, meanwhile, has made Liverpool coach John Heitinga its number one target— alongside Marcel Keizer in a proposed joint manager arrangement — to replace Farioli.
The Dutch outlet De Telegraaf reports that Heitinga, the 41-year-old assistant to Arne Slot at Anfield, is open to making the move. In a joint position, Heitinga would be the lead coach with Keizer alongside him.
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Heitinga has been in charge of Ajax previously but it was only a temporary move. He was at the helm for a caretaker spell in 2023 and did very well, but no contract offer was presented by then-CEO Edwin van der Sar.
Initially, Heitinga wasn't sure about taking the role but was successfully convinced. In the end, when it came to a permanent appointment, Ajax went with Maurice Steijn instead, but he was fired after 11 games.
Liverpool.com says: Henderson moving back to Sunderland would make sense in a lot of ways. In truth, though, he should never have left Liverpool, at least not for Saudi Arabia.
Had he stayed a bit longer and accepted a bit-part role, or even moved to Ajax or another major European club straight away, his reputation would have been very different.