Jordan Henderson transfer update emerges as Sunderland AFC and Rangers named | OneFootball

Jordan Henderson could be set for a return to Sunderland following their Premier League promotion

Sunderland have been named as one of two clubs that could potentially sign Jordan Henderson from Ajax this summer.

Speaking on the Kick-off podcast, Dutch journalist Mike Verweij claimed that a departure from the Eredivisie side in the upcoming transfer window is likely.

The midfielder broke into senior football at the Stadium of Light, coming through the academy system before moving to Liverpool in 2011.

Sunderland earned promotion to the Premier League last weekend with a 2-1 win over Sheffield United in the play-offs, which could open the door for his return to the club.

Jordan Henderson transfer latest

Verweij has claimed that Rangers and Sunderland are two possible destinations for Henderson this summer.

He believes that a departure from Ajax is likely after the team’s disappointing collapse in the title race with PSV Eindhoven this year.

“[Henderson] is also being linked with Rangers,” said Verweij, via the Kick-off podcast.

“There, Steven Gerrard is said to be the new coach and he would like to get Henderson in that direction.

“But Sunderland are his old club and he was obviously in the stands there for a reason.

“Ajax wants to get rid of his salary, which is from one of the conflicts between the Ajax management and Francesco Farioli.

“Farioli really wanted to keep him, Ajax wanted to get rid of his salary.

“I think now Farioli is gone, Henderson would also like to leave.

“He felt a lot of confidence.

“I think the way to one of those two clubs is open.”

Henderson’s impact at Ajax

Henderson departed Liverpool for Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2023, but lasted just a few months there before signing for Ajax in the 2024 January market.

A disappointing first campaign with the club saw him make just nine appearances in the Eredivisie as the team finished fifth in the table.

The 34-year-old made 28 appearances as the Dutch giants improved to second in the table this season, but missed out on the title by just one point despite initially leading PSV by nine in the closing weeks.

Henderson move to Sunderland might not be worth it now

The time for Henderson to return to Sunderland might have passed now that they’ve built this exciting young squad and gained promotion to the Premier League.

The midfielder’s peak form relied on his impressive physicality and athleticism to be a key part of Jurgen Klopp’s side at Anfield, but he has declined significantly in those departments in recent years.

While there’s no doubt that someone with his leadership qualities could be a valuable addition to the dressing room, it’s not clear whether he’d be capable of contributing regularly on the pitch enough to make his signing actually worthwhile.

This is particularly because he’s likely to have lofty wage demands, and Sunderland should be focusing their resources on improving the team so that they can survive in the Premier League next year.