JORDAN HENDERSON wants to seal a January transfer after telling former team-mates his move to Saudi Arabia has been a mistake.
The former Liverpool captain, 33, left Anfield to join Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq in the summer.
But it has not worked out as planned with Henderson yet to score and his side on a nightmare run of poor form.
Now SunSport understands he has had enough and is ready to head back to Europe.
Leaving before honouring two years of his £700,000-a-week contract would trigger a major tax bill worth around £3.5million.
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However, it could see the midfielder bolster his chances of featuring at Euro 2024.
But where could Henderson go if he did make the shock early exit?
RETURN TO LIVERPOOL
Henderson spent 12 years at Anfield, racking up 492 appearances for the Reds.
He inherited the captain's armband from Gerrard and lifted the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Community Shield, Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup.
Jurgen Klopp brought in Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch in a midfield overhaul - but some extra trophy-winning experience could be vital as Liverpool chase another league title this term.
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NEWCASTLE
Newcastle have the local bragging rights after winning the Tyne-Wear FA Cup clash - and they could have even more if ex-Sunderland boy Henderson joins them.
Newcastle are owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund and the connections to the Saudi Pro League would ease negotiations - especially after Premier League clubs voted to allow transfers between clubs with the same owners.
Eddie Howe's squad has been decimated by injuries and a holding midfielder is high on the wish list anyway, with Kalvin Phillips also a target.
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CHELSEA
Chelsea have splashed the cash - more than £1billion to be precise - since Todd Boehly took over at Stamford Bridge in 2022.
And yet despite the big-money arrivals of Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Lesley Ugochukwu, an experienced head in the middle of the park could be a sensible addition.
Henderson would certainly provide that and linking up with a host of Three Lions stars could help catch Gareth Southgate's eye.
CELTIC
Henderson was at Liverpool throughout Brendan Rodgers' tenure as Kop boss from 2012 to 2015.
And the Northern Irishman may well be keen for a reunion to add a top-quality midfielder into his Celtic team.
The lower overall quality of the league compared to the Premier League would also work in Henderson's favour because he turns 34 at the end of the season.
MOVE TO GERMANY
SunSport understands an unnamed German club are also monitoring Henderson's situation with particular interest.
With Bayer Leverkusen the surprise leaders and Bayern Munich, Stuttgart and RB Leipzig all chasing, the Bundesliga is wide open going into the second half of the season.
Henderson proved he is willing to move abroad when he went to Saudi and the chance to test himself in another of Europe's top five leagues could be appealing.
