AliousHenderson’s Homecoming? Premier League Stunner as Sunderland Tipped to Reunite with Icon in Emotional £3.9M Ajax Exit Twist
Fresh off their triumphant return to the Premier League, Sunderland are already turning heads in the transfer market — and none more so than with their reported pursuit of former fan favourite and academy product **Jordan Henderson**.
The 34-year-old midfielder, currently with Dutch giants **Ajax**, was spotted in the stands at Wembley during Sunderland’s 2-1 victory over Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final — a move that has only intensified speculation of an emotional return to the Stadium of Light.
According to Dutch journalist **Mike Verweij**, the door is “open” for Henderson to make a blockbuster return to Wearside. Speaking on **Voetbal Zone**, Verweij revealed that Ajax’s top brass are eager to offload Henderson’s hefty wages — a factor that could fast-track his exit, especially now that manager Francesco Farioli, who was keen to keep him, has departed.
“Sunderland is his old club and he wasn’t in the stands for nothing,” Verweij explained. “With Farioli gone and Ajax keen to cut his salary from the books, Henderson could now seriously consider leaving. I think the path is clear.”
Henderson, who made nearly 80 appearances for Sunderland before his 2011 switch to Liverpool, is also being linked with **Rangers**, fuelled by whispers that **Steven Gerrard** — who brought Henderson to Al-Ettifaq in 2023 — could be returning to manage the Glasgow club.
Transfer guru **Fabrizio Romano** has confirmed Premier League interest in the seasoned midfielder, who despite his age, could bring invaluable leadership to a youthful Sunderland squad preparing for the challenges of top-flight football.
While concerns remain over whether Henderson still has the physical edge for the Premier League grind, even as a rotation option his influence on and off the pitch would be monumental — potentially marking one of the most emotional transfers of the summer.
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