Liverpool and Sunderland agree Henderson deal

Liverpool and Sunderland have agreed a deal thought to be worth about £20m for midfielder Jordan Henderson.

The 20-year-old England international will travel to Liverpool for a medical and to discuss personal terms.

"A fee has been agreed with Liverpool for Jordan Henderson and he travels to Anfield with the club's blessing," said a Sunderland statement.

Sunderland had rejected Liverpool's previous offer for the player, which was thought to be worth £16m.

The Anfield club hope a deal can be finalised before Henderson joins England's U21 squad on Wednesday for the European Championships.

Striker David Ngog, 22, could move in the opposite direction as part of the deal, but that is yet to be confirmed.

The Sunderland-born Henderson, who had a loan spell at Coventry City early in his career and signed a five-year contract at The Stadium of Light in April 2010.

He came to prominence as Steve Bruce's Black Cats made a fine start to the season and was rewarded with an England call-up by coach Fabio Capello.

He won his first full England cap in the friendly defeat by France at Wembley in November.

And even though his form dipped as Sunderland struggled in the second half of the campaign, Henderson is still regarded as one of England's brightest young prospects.

Manchester United had been regarded as the long-time favourites to sign Henderson after he made an outstanding start to last season, but their interest cooled and manager Sir Alex Ferguson has moved on to other midfield targets.

Henderson's potential acquisition fits in with Liverpool's policy under Dalglish, director of football Damien Comolli and owners Fenway Sports Group to pursue young, and preferably English, talent.

Ipswich's teenage striker Connor Wickham and Blackburn Rovers defender Phil Jones are also believed to be Anfield targets.

Source: BBC Sport