Transfer news: Jordan Henderson completes Al Ettifaq move; Riyad Mahrez leaves Manchester City for Al-Ahli

It was a slow day in the European transfer market on Thursday as far as done deals are concerned but backroom activities continued at supersonic speed. One of the biggest names to complete the transfer on Thursday was Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson who completed his move to Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq, becoming the latest big-name player to be lured to the Gulf state.

The England midfielder, who posted a farewell message on Wednesday, has ended a 12-year stay at Anfield, during which he won every major trophy.

“We can confirm @JHenderson has completed a transfer to Al Ettifaq,” Liverpool said on their social media channels.

Al Ettifaq posted: “A leader. A warrior. We’re simply thrilled to have him.”

The 33-year-old, who played 492 matches for Liverpool, scoring 33 goals, has finalised a deal with reported wages of up to £700,000-a-week.

Liverpool are due to receive an initial £12 million ($15.5 million) from the Saudi club.

Reds manager Jurgen Klopp paid tribute to his departing skipper.

“I know it was a really, really tough decision for Hendo and I was around or with him all the way,” he said. “It’s sad, absolutely strange, because he is the only captain I had here at Liverpool, but I think it is exciting for him as well. We will miss him, without a shadow of a doubt, that’s clear – as a man and as a player.”

Rumours

While Henderson has completed his move to Saudi Pro League, former Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane is also close to moving to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr. As per reports, the talks between Al Nassr and Bayern Munich are in the final stages and the Bundesliga Giants are to earn around 37 million euros for the player.

Another Liverpool midfielder, Fabinho, is also moving closer to a move to Al Ittihad. The Saudi Pro League will offer the Brazilian a three-year contract.

Bayern Munich’s board is set to meet Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy on Friday to try to finalise the Harry Kane deal. Bayern are apparently ready to play 80 million euro plus add-ons for the English striker.

Chelsea’s new bid of 95 million euros was immediately rejected by Brighton for defensive midfielder Moises Caicedo. Chelsea are keen on signing the 21-year-old Ecuadorian but Brighton are holding on for a massive transfer deal.

Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund wants to sign for Manchester United despite PSG submitting a bid for him to Atalanta. Utd are set for the latest round of talks with Atalanta this weekend over Hojlund.

Mahrez moves to Saudi Arabia 

Riyad Mahrez is the latest Premier League player to head to Saudi Arabia after signing with Al-Ahli.

The Algeria international was a key player in Leicester’s shocking title win in 2016 and then won the league four more times with Manchester City. He leaves after a season in which City won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.

Dear Cityzens,

Today marks the end of an unforgettable chapter in my life, a five-year journey filled with countless memories. Before leaving, I wanted to thank the board, the manager and the staff for giving me the chance to prove myself at the highest level.

To my teammates,… pic.twitter.com/81mVXGoKrH

— Riyad Mahrez (@Mahrez22) July 28, 2023

“I’ve made a lifetime of wonderful memories and the manner of our Premier League title wins and the battles we’ve had with Liverpool and, last year, Arsenal, underlined our collective desire and mentality to be the best,” Mahrez said in a statement on City’s website.

Mahrez scored 15 goals in 47 games in his final season with City but didn’t start in some of the biggest matches. He was an unused substitute in both the Champions League and FA Cup finals, and he only made one substitute appearance from the Champions League quarterfinals onward.

At Al-Ahli, he will join Roberto Firmino, who was formerly with Liverpool, and former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Al-Ahli, from the Saudi port city of Jeddah, said the 32-year-old Mahrez signed a contract through the end of the 2026-27 season.

Born in the Paris suburbs, Mahrez came through the French lower leagues before joining Leicester in the English second tier in January 2014. The club was promoted to the Premier League in his first season and Mahrez was crucial to its sensational title win in 2016 with his 17 goals.

Mahrez’s heroics at Leicester led to him being named African Player of the Year for 2016. At international level, he captained Algeria to the 2019 African Cup of Nations title.

Al-Ahli is also set to sign one of Europe’s highest-rated young coaches in Matthias Jaissle, Austrian club Salzburg said in a statement confirming the 35-year-old German had been released from his duties.

Salzburg said Jaissle asked for a move two days before the new Austrian league season starts, and that talks between the club and Al-Ahli were under way.

“Our view is that a coach that is so busy exploring a new job just two days before the start of such an important season should not be in charge when it starts," Salzburg general manager Stephan Reiter said. League play begins Friday and Salzburg’s first game is Saturday.

Jaissle was praised for reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League with Salzburg in his first season in charge in 2021-22.

With AP inputs