Henderson one step CLOSER to Sunderland return as spending exceeds €100m

Tom Weber
Tom Weber
  • Updated: 9 Jul 2025 16:56 BST
  • 4 min read
Jordan Henderson
© IMAGO

Jordan Henderson has left Ajax after opting not to extend his contract, paving the way for a potential return to the Premier League and boyhood club Sunderland.

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The England international, who is still part of Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions squad despite his advanced age of 35, is now a free agent after deciding against triggering the one-year option in his Ajax contract.

The midfielder spent 18 months in Amsterdam after returning to European football following an unhappy six-month sojourn to Saudi Arabia. Henderson had moved to Al-Ettifaq after a legendary spell at Liverpool, but quickly felt compelled to come back to more familiar surroundings.

Current ETV
Player image Jordan Henderson
Jordan Henderson

M (C)

Ajax logo

Ajax

Jordan Henderson
Jordan Henderson

M (C)

Ajax

Ajax

€1.6M

ETV Range

€1.3M - €2M

The veteran is now officially on the market again and is surely attracted by the possibility of a return to English football. Naturally, the option of a move back to Sunderland has been touted after their promotion back to the top flight.

Henderson was born in Sunderland and came through the Black Cats' academy before his move to Liverpool in 2011. Though he is no longer the all-action midfielder he once was, his experience could prove useful to the promoted side.

Sunderland's ambitious summer

A move for Henderson would be another clear sign of Sunderland's ambition to remain in the top flight for the foreseeable future and to avoid suffering the same fate as the other promoted clubs in recent years.

Sunderland have already spent a whopping €91.5 million on new recruits this summer, having just announced the arrival of Chemsdine Talbi from Club Brugge for €20m.

Sunderland have shattered their transfer record on Habib Diarra
© IMAGO - Sunderland have shattered their transfer record on Habib Diarra

The club's transfer record has been shattered twice this summer, first when Enzo Le Fee's loan from Roma was made permanent for €23m, and again when Habib Diarra was signed from Strasbourg for €31.5m.

Noah Sadiki (€17m) and Reinildo Mandava (free transfer) have also moved to the Stadium of Light. Sunderland's heavy spending is set to exceed the €100m mark shortly as Sky Sports reports that they have agreed a deal with Brighton to sign Simon Adingra for around €24m.

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