Jordan Henderson in talks to join Monaco from Ajax
Jordan Henderson is in talks over a free transfer from Ajax to Monaco.
The former Liverpool captain, 34, is understood to be keen to make the switch before Monday’s transfer deadline.
Monaco are in the market for an experienced midfielder and want to sign Henderson, but are unwilling to pay a fee because of his age.
Henderson is negotiating with Ajax to see if he can terminate his contract, which runs until 2026. If the player cannot reach an agreement with the Dutch club, Monaco will move on to other targets.
Ajax have so far insisted they want to keep Henderson, whom they signed after his contract at Al-Ettifaq was terminated by mutual consent last January following an unhappy spell in Saudi Arabia.
He was signed by former team-mate Steven Gerrard, whom the Saudi Pro League club have now confirmed has left as their head coach.
Henderson was named Ajax’s captain soon after his arrival and has become a key player for them. This season he has made 31 appearances, with the club second in the Eredivisie behind leaders PSV Eindhoven.
Ajax are in a fight to finish in the top two and therefore qualify for next season’s Champions League.
They will allow Henderson to leave this summer but it is believed his preference is to go now and join Monaco, who are third in Ligue 1, and who have qualified for a Champions League play-off – where they will face either Paris St-Germain or Benfica – for a place in the last 16. If Monaco sign Henderson, and get through the play-off, they will face Barcelona or Liverpool. Henderson spent 12 years at Anfield, eight of them as Liverpool captain.
