Liverpool to sign Henderson after fee agreed

Jordan Henderson will sign for Liverpool FC after the Reds agreed a fee with Sunderland for the midfielder.

Liverpool and the Wearsiders have this morning confirmed that an offer, believed to consist of £13m plus striker David Ngog, had been accepted, and that the 20-year-old will now travel to Merseyside to undergo a medical and discuss personal terms.

Henderson, who made his senior England debut last November in the friendly defeat to France, had been due to head to Denmark for the European Under-21 Championships today, but both parties have been keen to seal his switch before then.

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

Black Cats boss Steve Bruce had initially been reluctant to see Henderson - Sunderland-born and a product of the club's youth academy - leave, but with Liverpool making it clear that their interest in the youngster was serious over the past week, he has resigned himself to losing his prized asset, and has already earmarked a series of potential targets as he looks to rebuild his squad this summer.

Ngog's presence in the deal is believed to be vital, with Sunderland struggling for attacking options following the departures of Darren Bent and Danny Welbeck already this year.

Henderson, who can play on the right of midfield as well as centrally, made his debut at the Stadium of Light in November 2008, and emerged as one of the club's brightest prospects in recent times.

Nonetheless, the move represents a calculated but significant gamble by Reds boss Kenny Dalglish, and his director of football Damien Comolli. Henderson does not turn 21 until later this month, and has just two seasons of top-flight football under his belt.

The transfer is Liverpool's second big-money swoop on the north East this year, following the £35m capture of Andy Carroll from Newcastle in January.

And Roma goalkeeper Alexander Doni set to follow Henderson to Merseyside.

A fee of about £1m has been discussed for the 31-year-old, and the player's representative, Ovidio Colucci, says talks between the two clubs are at an advanced stage.

"I spoke to the club (Roma) yesterday and they confirmed they are holding talks with Liverpool to reach an agreement regarding the transfer of Doni," Colucci said.

"Once an agreement is reached between the two clubs, we will begin negotiating personal terms with Liverpool.

"Doni would be very happy to join Liverpool."

The Brazilian, who has made 179 appearances for the Italians since joining from Juventude in 2005, would provide cover and competition for first-choice Pepe Reina, with Brad Jones certain to leave the club this summer and young Hungarian Peter Gulacsi likely to be sent out on loan in order to gain first-team experience.

Doni made 16 league appearances for the Giallarossi last season and has earned 10 caps for Brazil.

Blackburn's highly rated defender Phil Jones is another target, though Rovers' asking price of £17m could prove a stumbling block.

Jones, like Henderson, will be part of Stuart Pearce's Under-21 squad for the European Championships later this month, and is believed to have expressed his desire to leave Ewood Park.

Meanwhile, new West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has laughed off reports suggesting he is set to make a move for out-of-favour Reds midfielder Joe Cole.

Allardyce said: "I don't think we could afford Joe Cole. Of course one would love Joe Cole because he is an outstanding player, but he would be too expensive."

Elsewhere, Liverpool have announced that, due to a number of "mitigating issues", they will not be visiting Korea as part of their pre-season tour of the far East next month.

The Reds had planned to play in Seoul, after initial visits to Guangzhou, China and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, but are now "examining a number of alternatives".

Source: Liverpool Echo