Jordan Henderson told he can leave Ajax for free! England midfielder could seal dream Sunderland return as Jobe Bellingham replacement after Dutch giants make bold decision

Henderson has been told that he can leave Ajax this summer for free, with the Dutch giants eager to offload his £100,000-a-week salary. This comes from a report from the Daily Mirror, who claim that the soon-to-be 35-year-old is not part of new head coach John Heitinga’s plans. A reunion with boyhood club Sunderland could be on the cards, who have achieved promotion to the Premier League and would love to sign Henderson as a replacement for Jobe Bellingham.

Ajax’s push to reduce their wage bill comes after being hit with a wave of high-value bonuses following their qualification for next season’s Champions League. Henderson could make a sensational return to both the Premier League and the Stadium of Light, having already confirmed their interest in him back in December 2024.

England manager Thomas Tuchel has also reportedly assured the ex-Liverpool star that he remains in contention for the 2026 World Cup - provided he maintains fitness and form. He featured in Saturday's 1-0 win over Andorra, underlining his continued international relevance. While Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris would welcome Henderson’s experience, it remains to be seen whether the club can come close to matching his current wages in Amsterdam.

Henderson's move to Sunderland could also be a way for the Black Cats to compensate for the potential departure of Bellingham, who has received strong interest from Bundesliga, in particular Borussia Dortmund. The Bundesliga giants' €25 million (£21m/$28.5m) bid was rejected by Sunderland, with club president Kyril Louis-Dreyfus determined to keep their teenage superstar for at least another season. However, it's likely Bellingham will depart this summer, and signing Henderson could be a huge factor in their hopes of avoiding the drop at the end of next season.

The English international will next be seen in action on Tuesday, June 10, when the Three Lions square off against African giants Senegal in a friendly.