Sunderland have been linked with a sensational move to bring former midfielder Jordan Henderson back to the Stadium of Light this summer.
The Black Cats’ promotion to the Premier League has ignited talk that they could swoop for their former star to help bolster their assault on the top flight.
Regis Le Bris guided Sunderland into the play-offs and eventual Wembley glory with the youngest squad in the Championship, and while the club is committed to youth and the system they have in place, sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has admitted they may need to tweak the model slightly for the demands of the Premier League
That could involve bringing in a couple of older heads to support the young talent, with Henderson linked with a potential return.
The Sunderland-born player left the club in a £20 million deal in 2011, signing for Liverpool. There he went on to captain the club and win a Premier League title and the Champions League in a stellar career before leaving for Al-Ettifaq.
After six months in the Saudi Pro League, Henderson moved to Ajax, where he has enjoyed mixed fortunes.
However, Thomas Tuchel’s appointment as England boss has seen the veteran recalled to the Three Lions squad by the German, and he started the World Cup qualifier against Andorra last week.
Links with a return to Sunderland remain strong, and the club stoked the speculation on Tuesday morning by sending the player a happy birthday message on X.
The message, as Henderson celebrates his 35th birthday, was accompanied by a heart and party celebration emoji. It left some fans talking about whether it was a hint that the star is being lined up for a return to Wearside.
Henderson made 71 appearances for the club after graduating through the Academy of Light. He first joined the club as an eight-year-old and made his debut in a 5-0 defeat at Chelsea in 2008.
At Liverpool, he made more than 350 appearances, and as well as winning the Premier League and Champions League, he also appeared in a further two Champions League finals, won one FA Cup, and won two League Cups.
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