Why Jordan Henderson will have to shell out £7MILLION to secure Premier League return

The former Liverpool captain has already become disillusioned with life in Saudi Arabia and is believed to want to return to the Premier League, but that could come at quite the cost

Jordan Henderson wants to end his Saudi Arabia stay just six months after he swapped Merseyside for the Middle East following 12 years at Liverpool.

The England international raised plenty of eyebrows when he confirmed he would walk away from Jurgen Klopp’s side and join Reds legend Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League. Less than half a year later, Henderson is rumoured to want out due to several factors including the climate, adjusting to the lifestyle and dismal attendances.

Al-Ettifaq forked out £12million to pry Henderson away from Liverpool and reportedly pay him an eye-watering £700,000 per week. Were the midfielder to call time on his Saudi stint, he would be writing off millions of pounds in tax as well as walking away from an astonishing wage.

Henderson’s salary only becomes tax-free if he were to remain at the club for at least two years. Leaving so soon would mean, due to Saudi Arabia operating a flat income tax rate of 20 per cent, the ex-Sunderland man would be hit with a tax bill of £7m.

The recent reports mark an astonishing backtrack within just four months, as Henderson defended his decision to join the Saudi side so passionately upon his arrival. He even publicly explained that the transfer was not motivated by financial reasons.