Jordan Henderson is desperate to return to the Premier League just months after securing a move to Saudi Arabian side Al Ettifaq, it has been claimed.
According to the Mail Online, the England midfielder has struggled to settle since completing a £12million move from Liverpool to the Saudi Pro League last summer and is considering his future.
Al Ettifaq have been in dismal form, with manager Steven Gerrard under pressure after a winless run of eight matches stretching back to November.
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Moreover, assistant manager Ian Foster resigned from the club this week to take charge of Championship outfit Plymouth Argyle.
Gerrard and Foster were said to be both instrumental in persuading Henderson to move to Saudi last summer and their prospective departures could affect the 33-year-old’s future.
The Mail added, that in addition to adjusting to a different lifestyle, Henderson has also struggled with the heat and humidity of the playing conditions in Saudi Arabia, while Al Ettifaq's average attendance of 7,800 in a 35,000-capacity stadium is also said to have proved less than inspiring.
The abuse he has received for moving to Saudi Arabia has also allegedly taken its toll, with the midfielder having been criticised after seemingly betraying the LGBTQ+ community.
Henderson is said to have already told his team-mates he was considering his options before taking a short holiday during the Saudi Pro League’s winter break.
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His discontent is such that he would reportedly consider taking a major pay cut and writing off millions in tax, should he receive a tempting Premier League offer.
Henderson would likely have to take a considerable pay cut to do so, however, with many clubs struggling to comply with the top flight’s Financial Fair Play rules.
Henderson’s salary at Al Ettifaq is widely reported as an extraordinary £700,000-a-week, however, it is only tax-free should he honour the first two years of his contract.
With Saudi Arabia operating a flat income tax rate of 20 per cent, Henderson’s return to the UK after just six months could leave him with a tax bill of £7million.
Topics: Football, Jordan Henderson, Transfers, Premier League
Chris Byfield