Jordan Henderson speaks out on potential Sunderland homecoming transfer as ex-Liverpool star reveals 'steps' he's taking at Ajax

Henderson was the man to lift the Premier League title at Anfield in 2020, having inherited a leadership role on Merseyside once filled by Reds legend Steven Gerrard. He took in 492 appearances for Liverpool across 12 years, but left in 2023 when joining the Saudi Pro League revolution at Al-Ettifaq – alongside Gerrard.

A forgettable spell in the Middle East, working on a lucrative contract, lasted a matter of months as Henderson returned to Europe at Dutch giants Ajax in January 2024. More questions are being asked of his future there, despite being skipper once again, with a return to his roots on Wearside being mooted.

Henderson has said in the Sunderland Echo of the transfer talk that he is generating heading into another winter window: “It’s my club, ever since I was a boy of six or seven years old. Then I was in the stands. But I just hope I stay here [at Ajax]. I really like it here. I want to help the club to grow further. We are also taking those steps. But I also read it. I don’t even know where all this comes from, because there has been no contact.”

Ajax sporting director, Alex Kroes, has already rubbished any suggestion that Henderson will be allowed to leave Amsterdam early in 2025. He has told Algemeen Dagblad: “I am extremely satisfied with Jordan as captain, both on and off the pitch. So, we don’t want to lose him. We assume he will help us continue the further development we are currently going through as a club and a team.”

Henderson has taken in 24 appearances for Ajax this season, helping them to second place in the Eredvisie standings, and the 34-year-old England international midfielder remains under contract in the Netherlands until the summer of 2026.