the echo view

just released...



Sunderland’s Henderson to complete Liverpool move
Jordan Henderson
By Graeme Anderson
Published on Wednesday 8 June 2011 11:00


JORDAN Henderson was set to complete a £20million move to Liverpool today before flying out to Denmark to link up with the England Under-21 squad this evening.


The Herrington-born Sunderland midfielder has travelled to Merseyside for the completion of talks and will become Kenny Dalglish’s latest Anfield recruit, subject to the passing of a medical – something which should be little more than a formality.

But the reported transfer of Liverpool striker David N’Gog in the opposite direction is not directly linked to the Henderson deal and is not necessarily a foregone conclusion.

Sunderland will get £20m for Henderson, regardless of whether the French forward signs for the Black Cats, but if the N’Gog move does go ahead, then whatever figure is agreed will come out of the Henderson transfer fee.

The Echo understands there is still a lot of work to be done on any N’Gog move with length of contract, wages and an acceptable price to be agreed.

What does seem certain though is that Henderson’s days at the Stadium of Light are over in the wake of Sunderland agreeing to sell him.

The club confirmed: “A fee has been agreed with Liverpool for Jordan Henderson and he travels to Anfield with the club’s blessing.”

Liverpool also announced this morning that they were beginning talks.

Liverpool have been swift to push forward their interest in the last 24 hours, upping their offer from just over £18m to the £20m that boss Steve Bruce had always set as the benchmark figure the club would need to be offered before considering the sale of a player the manager referred to as: “our crown jewel”.

Dalglish was anxious to get the deal tied up ahead of an international tournament in which Henderson could yet prove to be England’s star.

Henderson has done well for the England Under-21s in recent months, garnering an increasingly impressive reputation, and if he sparkled in the European finals it could easily have pushed up his potential transfer fee higher.

Liverpool have headed off any danger of that happening with their decisive action.

But Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn and manager Steve Bruce are also believed to be happy with the fee agreed, which will be used to bankroll much of the club’s summer rebuilding campaign.

It will smooth the way for Kieran Westwood and Seb Larsson’s expected arrival as Bosman free transfers and could also furnish the Black Cats with their first new striker if the N’Gog deal goes through.

But, more significantly, the money will be used to push forward with plans to sign Wigan Athletic star Charles N’Zogbia and other top players the club hopes are in the pipeline.

Sunderland fans, though, are likely to be unimpressed with the sale of Henderson, even for such a large transfer fee, unless the club demonstrates before the end of the window that it is all part of a process of taking the club forward rather than backward.

Henderson is still at the start of his Premier League career and is likely to be at the top for the next decade – so Liverpool will see £20m as an excellent long-term investment in what of the brightest young talents in English football.

And if Sunderland are to avoid being seen as a selling club, they need to bring in players who will make the club a more formidable outfit next season, despite Henderson’s departure.

 

A very fair assessment.

 

"Henderson has done well for the England Under-21s in recent months, garnering an increasingly impressive reputation, and if he sparkled in the European finals it could easily have pushed up his potential transfer fee higher."

This is a good point, what if he shines in the tournament? we could of got £25 million for himand even if he didnt we would still get £20 million I feel.

Another bit of bad management? or good?

 

So all those wanting Bruce out for paying 7 mil for Ngog, wrong again I fear and I hate to say it but.................

I TOLD YOU SO

 

Just been on SSN that Jordon is the 7th highest ever price paid for a British player!

 

to many comments without facts, still don't know the whole story, but we will soon enough.

 

I have said it before and I will say it again Henderson is only one player and we have lots in his favoured position CM and we look to be getting two decent right wingers if we get Larson, and apparently we are looking at Darron Gibson from Man Utd and from what i have seen he looks a good player.

We have also got to look at Sessong his best position by a mile was just behind the lone striker or the front two so Bruce needs to sort out what formation he wnats to play next season and how he wants to play.

There are changes ahead and we need to stop jumping to conclusions we are not a selling club but a club progressing and unfortunately we have not got the money or the european football to keep our good young players like Henderson who's head will be turned by one of the top 6 clubs who can offer those things. Hopefully in a couple of years we will be able to do this but untill then we need to bite the bullet and accept it (hard I know).

 

It just p*ss*s me off. At the end of next season, klets say Gyan has 20 goals, Catts has had a great season, we finish top 10 again. Nothing to stop the top 6 just asset stripping us and anyone else.

Hope Henderson makes the grade - for the sake of English football, but I don't think he will play a full season.