Jordan Henderson sends message to Mohamed Salah over Saudi Arabia transfer
- Henderson returned from Saudi Arabia after just six months to join Ajax
- Al Hilal are expected to make a move for Salah at the end of the season
- Former Liverpool captain was asked whether he would discourage his old teammate
By Tom Gott
Jordan Henderson has insisted he would not advise former Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah against a move to Saudi Arabia.
Henderson attracted major controversy when he left Liverpool for Saudi side Al Ettifaq last summer and is once again in the spotlight after terminating his contract after just six months to seal a return to Europe with Ajax.
Liverpool, who also sold Fabinho to Al Ittihad last summer, are expected to receive further contact from Saudi Arabia this year. Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara, who are both out of contract in the summer, are targets for Al Ettifaq, while Salah is among the top targets for the wider Saudi Pro League.
Having been chased by Al Ittihad last summer, Salah is likely to be targeted by Al Hilal at the end of the current season as he enters the final 12 months of his own contract, and Henderson refused to warn his former teammate against a move to the Middle East.
"No, definitely not," Henderson said when asked if he would discourage Salah from making the switch. "Everyone is different. Big players are there now loving every second of it. You might get others that don't settle or something happens in their private life. Things change quickly.
"I wouldn't speak badly of the league or the clubs or anything like that. I have full respect for the opportunity I was given to go there."
90min understands Salah remains incredibly happy with life at Liverpool, who are back in the Premier League title race this season, but Saudi officials are keen to once again register their interest with the Egypt international as they seek to finally land their top target.
Salah is not expected to make a decision on his future in the coming weeks and will only do so later this year. Given the status of his contract, the 31-year-old is largely in control of his own destiny, although Liverpool could decline to do business regardless of Salah's feelings and run the risk of letting him leave for free in 2025.
This season, Salah has once again been among the top performers in the Premier League. He has racked up 14 goals and eight assists in just 20 appearances, firing Liverpool to the top of the standings.
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