Potential Jordan Henderson, Sunderland AFC return timeline emerges | OneFootball

It could be a match made in Wearside for the local lad this summer.

Sunderland should find out their chances of signing Ajax's Jordan Henderson within the next month as the Black Cats chase their former academy product following promotion to the Premier League.

Regis Le Bris worked with the youngest side in the Championship in his first season as a head coach in this country - not an easy task to manage by any means. But his experience of working with youth players, and, therefore, understanding of them, allowed this largely fresh-faced group to thrive, to the point that next season they will be Premier League footballers.

Sunderland's youth-first recruitment model has ultimately been proven right. The question now is, how much will they stick to their guns once they get up to the top flight?

In a potential attempt to rectify this issue, the Black Cats may be considering, ironically, bringing back one of their old academy players in Henderson. The midfielder spent three years with his hometown club before going on to realise Premier League success as the captain of Liverpool, lifting the English first division title for the Reds for the first time in 30 years in the 2019/20 campaign.

Jordan Henderson to make potential Sunderland decision soon

A return to the northeast could be on for the 34-year-old, who currently plays for Ajax. According to Dutch journalist Mike Verweij, Sunderland have a "good chance" of signing the midfielder, who his current club want to get rid of because of his high wages.

He has an option in his contract to extend it by a further year, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that a decision on his future is expected to come within the next month.

Sunderland aren't the only possible new destination for Henderson this summer. Rangers were also included in the good chance category by Verweij. Steven Gerrard, Henderson's former Liverpool teammate, has been linked with going back to Ibrox to take the currently vacant managerial role there. Gerrard also signed the England international when he was manager of Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq.

Romano added that Italian top division outfits are also keen on acquiring the 34-year-old's services.

Jordan Henderson would be a perfect summer signing for Sunderland

Regardless of how far playing the kids has got them, in what will be an uber-tough division next time out, they need to bring in some players with more knowhow and understanding of the demands of the Premier League.

For this purpose, bringing back the Wearsider to a club that he already knows and loves, one that he was supporting in the stands at Wembley when Tommy Watson's goal sent them up, makes perfect sense.

He has over 400 Premier League appearances to his name, a winner's medal, and, most importantly, still the ability to compete at the top level of the sport. He captained Ajax to a Champions League spot, and what should have been the Eredivisie title, this season.