'Bloody hell' - Former Liverpool team-mate makes strong Jordan Henderson claim over Saudi Arabia transfer
Ex-Liverpool defender Glen Johnson believes money was a "major factor" in his former team-mate Jordan Henderson moving to Saudi Arabia - and wouldn't be surprised if Mohamed Salah followed in January.
Henderson prompted a major shock this summer when he accepted an offer to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, who are managed by his predecessor as Reds captain, Steven Gerrard.
The England international has since claimed he was persuaded to make the transfer by not feeling wanted by Liverpool when the initial approach was made, and dismissed suggestions he only moved due to a significantly-increased salary.
But Johnson said: “Bloody hell, of course the money was a major factor. He’s not gone there for the standard of football and if it wasn’t about money, then he would have gone somewhere else.
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"James Milner moved to Brighton at 37 years of age, so there would have been many clubs that would have wanted Jordan this summer in Europe. However, Al-Ettifaq wanted him and paid him an absolute fortune so you can’t blame him for going, but I do believe that money was a huge, huge motivator.”
While Fabinho also made the move to Saudi Arabia by joining Al-Ittihad, Liverpool resisted overtures for Salah from the same club when they rejected a £150m deal shortly before the Premier League transfer deadline earlier this month.
However, speaking to GGrecon, Johnson believes the Reds will find it difficult to do likewise should the Saudi Pro League come calling again with a massive offer in the January transfer window.
“I could see it happening," he said.
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