Liverpool agree fee for Henderson

Soccer:Sunderland have agreed a fee with Liverpool for the sale of midfielder Jordan Henderson, the north-east club have confirmed on their official website. The England international, 20, will head to Anfield today to have a medical and discuss personal terms.

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

Press Association Sport understands the deal is worth in the region of €22 million, while it is thought French striker David Ngog could travel in the opposite direction, valued at around €6.5 million.

Henderson's likely arrival would make him manager Kenny Dalglish's third high-profile signing after the big-money January captures of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

Sunderland have repeatedly stated that the player was not for sale, but Liverpool's cash has persuaded them to part company with Henderson, who will head to Denmark later this week to link up with the England Under-21 squad for the European Championships.

Henderson, who previously had a loan spell with Coventry, made his Sunderland debut in a 5-0 defeat to Chelsea in November 2008 and has gone on to make 79 appearances for the club, scoring five goals.

He made his England debut against France in November last year.

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has moved to reassure fans the deal is not evidence of a lack of ambition within the club.

Henderson will be the second high-profile player to leave the Stadium of Light this year after Darren Bent's January departure to Aston Villa, but Quinn has promised the club is already on the trail of the players manager Steve Bruce believes will take it forward.

"Jordan is a credit to himself, his family and Sunderland's Academy and everyone here wishes him the very best for the future," Quinn said. "I'm pleased that we got the deal to a level that we felt was right for our club.

"We know the areas that need strengthening and the type of player we need in order to progress, and the job of bringing those players to the club is continuing at a pace."