Journalist Alex Crook has revealed that Newcastle don’t have much of a chance of signing one player who has very recently been linked with a move to Tyneside.
Newcastle were controversially named in the list of clubs who could take on Jordan Henderson in January as the midfielder looks to make an early exit from Al Ettifaq.
Crook spoke on talkSPORT where he claimed that very few clubs, if any, will be able to afford the wages that Henderson has been on in Saudi Arabia, putting any potential move to Newcastle in doubt.
Henderson’s return to the Premier League is in doubt
After just six months in Saudi Arabia, Henderson is already looking for the earliest opportunity to make his return to the Premier League.
The problem with this is that it’s rumoured that he is, of course, on extortionate wages that no other team can afford right now, somewhere between £350,000 to £700,000 a week.
Newcastle certainly won’t be making a move for the 33-year-old if that is the case as they have been very keen to avoid breaking their wage structure at all costs, though this will eventually have to change.
It was a surprise to even see Henderson’s name linked with Newcastle considering his ties with Sunderland, but if that isn’t enough to deter the club from making an offer then his wages definitely will.
On the show, Crook said: “I think on his current salary, obviously we’re hearing different amounts, is it £700,000-a-week, is it £350,000-a-week.
“Either way, when it comes to the Premier League, I think there’s very little chance of any club matching that salary which is going to make it difficult for Henderson to come back to English football at this moment in time.
“We’ve mentioned already some European clubs who he has been offered to, the likes of Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen over in Germany.
“Napoli have been mentioned to me as well in Italy and obviously Ajax this morning. So, I think if Jordan Henderson does leave Saudi Arabia that’s by no means guaranteed, we’ve been hearing from Ben Jacobs over the last 48 hours that Al-Ettifaq and the Saudi Pro League don’t particularly want to lose Jordan Henderson, then I think a move to Europe is the strongest possibility.
“But certainly Henderson is pushing to get out and the fear that he won’t be selected by Gareth Southgate for the Euros at the end of the season is the biggest factor.”
Newcastle would rather sign no one than Henderson
From a supporter’s perspective, signing Henderson may offer strength in depth in a position that the team are currently struggling in, but it also goes against everything the club means.
It would almost be as bad as bringing in Jordan Pickford, just a move that feels like it is destined to go wrong at some point and the fans will never truly be able to warm up to.
If you ask fans, it’s likely that the majority would rather go without a new player in January, despite desperately needing reinforcements, than sign Henderson even if it is just a short-term contract.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
