It is thought Henderson has been offered no guarantees he will be picked, but also no indication that he will be automatically frozen out
Jordan Henderson has spoken to England manager Gareth Southgate about his big-money move to Saudi Arabia and reiterated his desire to keep playing for his country.
Henderson has travelled to Croatia to link up with the Al Ettifaq squad and train with his new team-mates ahead of confirmation of his £700,000-a-week transfer from Liverpool.
It is understood that paperwork over the move had almost been completed on Wednesday afternoon with an announcement being prepared.
The move raises serious question marks over Henderson’s England future ahead of next summer’s European Championships and the 33-year-old has spoken personally with Southgate about the switch.
While details of the conversation will remain private, it is thought Southgate has offered Henderson no guarantees that he will continue to pick him but has also given no indication the midfielder will be automatically frozen out.
Henderson still wants to play for England and believes he could still play a part in Euro 2024, but appears to recognise that his move will leave Southgate with a headache over his vice-captain.
Henderson was a key player for England at the World Cup in Qatar and was also a huge influence in the dressing-room and around the camp, earning praise from his team-mates and Southgate.
Since the World Cup, Henderson has started three of England’s four European Championship qualifiers, including the 7-0 victory over North Macedonia at Old Trafford in June.
Henderson has won 77 England caps, scoring three goals, and has been vital to the country’s run to the semi-finals, final and quarter-finals of the last three major tournaments under Southgate.
Al Ettifaq are managed by Steven Gerrard and are paying £12 million to sign Henderson from Liverpool, where he has spent the last 12 years, winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, Super Cup and Club World Cup.
Henderson has also been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ issues, which has resulted in him drawing criticism for agreeing to move to Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is punishable by death.
