England defender Jordan Henderson is keen on making a comeback to the Premier League in a surprising move that would result in him losing millions of pounds due to taxes and foregone wages.
As per the Daily Mail, the midfielder from England has faced difficulties settling in since his £12 million transfer from Liverpool to the Saudi Arabian side Al Ettifaq last summer but he's now open to considering any offers that the club might receive this month.
Henderson's struggles have been worsened by Al Ettifaq's poor performance, which has put manager Steven Gerrard under pressure from the owners. The team's dismal run of eight winless matches since November has added to the strain.
Further disruptions at the club are evident as assistant manager Ian Foster resigned this week to take charge at Championship side Plymouth Argyle. Both Gerrard and Foster played pivotal roles in convincing Henderson to make the unexpected move to Saudi Arabia last summer, which has not panned out as anticipated.
Apart from grappling with a different way of life, the 33-year-old has found it challenging to cope with the heat and humidity during games. Additionally, the underwhelming average attendance of 7,800 in a 35,000-capacity stadium at Al Ettifaq this season has not helped matters.
Henderson has confided in teammates about contemplating his options and intends to take a brief break during the winter break of the Saudi Pro League.
His dissatisfaction is such that he would be open to a significant pay cut and foregoing substantial sums in taxes if an attractive offer comes from the Premier League. However, given the financial constraints faced by many clubs in meeting the spending restrictions of the top flight, such a move would likely involve a considerable reduction in salary.
While Henderson's reported salary at Al Ettifaq stands at an extraordinary £700,000 per week, the tax-free status is applicable only if he completes the initial two years of his contract. Returning to England after six months in Saudi Arabia would result in a tax liability of approximately £7 million due to the country's flat income tax rate of 20 per cent.
Crystal Palace, Fulham, and Newcastle are among the clubs seeking central midfielders this month. Yet, given the financial challenges many clubs face in meeting spending restrictions, any potential move for Henderson would necessitate a substantial salary adjustment.
