Jordan Henderson 'reaches agreement to leave Al Ettifaq'

Jordan Henderson is closing in on a return to European football with Ajax after reaching an agreement to leave Al Ettifaq, according to a report.

The midfielder controversially signed for the Saudi Pro League side in the summer of 2023, leaving Liverpool after a hugely successful 12-year spell.

Henderson was previously seen as a major ally for the LGBTQ+ community, but his move to Saudi Arabia - where homosexuality is outlawed and punishable by death - broke those ties. He insisted the transfer was to help raise the profile of a growing league.

However, reports emerged early in January that Henderson was unsettled in the Middle East, and 90min revealed last week he was set for showdown talks with Al Ettifaq bosses in which he was likely to ask for a move back to Europe.

David Ornstein of The Athletic now reports Henderson has reached an agreement with Al Ettifaq to leave the club and he is now on the verge of joining Dutch giants Ajax on a permanent deal.

Ajax have limped through the 2023/24 campaign so far and were at risk of being dragged into a relegation battle during the autumn and early winter months under head coach Maurice Steijn. He has since been replaced by John van 't Schip on an interim basis until the end of the season.

Despite their poor start to the year, Ajax have now climbed back up to fifth in the Eredivisie table and are nine points off a Champions League place, while a third-place finish in their Europa League group has seen them drop into the Europa Conference League. They will take on Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in a two-legged knockout round play-off.

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