At just £6m, Leeds have missed a trick in not rivalling Steven Gerrard for 2021 target

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Steven Gerrard’s side Al-Ettifaq are making moves, like the rest of the Saudi Pro League, in the transfer window, as Jordan Henderson joins – but another of his signings would have been perfect for Leeds, in defender Jack Hendry.

Gerrard was of course, strongly linked with Leeds before Daniel Farke was appointed. Following the German’s arrival at Leeds, the Liverpool icon moved to Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq. He has made plenty of new signings, already.

Henderson is obviously the big one. But in a squad that already includes well-known European footballers including Marcel Tisserand, Robin Quaison and Darko Velkovski – Gerrard has also surprisingly signed two ex-Celtic players.

Moussa Dembele, renowned for winding Rangers fans up on Twitter, has signed on a free after his Lyon deal came to an end. But it is his third signing, in the form of Scotland defender Hendry, that would have been perfect for us.

The 28-year-old has had a somewhat unusual career. Getting a break in joining Celtic under Brendan Rodgers, he failed to make it count. Loans, including one to Australia, culminated in a transfer to Belgium with KV Oostende.

Steven Gerrard signing Jack Hendry would have been perfect for Leeds

He impressed, Club Brugge came calling. But after 41 games, a loan to Serie A side Cremonese and now, he has put European clubs aside, moving to Saudi Arabia. Gerrard has spent £6m to sign him at Ettifaq, another ex-Celtic man.

So, a club career with plenty of promise, but yet to get going. One constant in his career though, certainly in the last few years, is he is first choice for Scotland. In 2021, site 90Min said Leeds and Victor Orta wanted the 6ft 5in giant.

Liam Cooper’s Scotland teammate, a ball-playing defender but unbeatable in the air given his height and a previous Leeds target – available for just £6m. Leeds need right-footed central defenders. Hendry would have been perfect.

But instead, for the bargain fee of £6m, he joins Gerrard, Henderson and Dembele at Al-Ettifaq. He will be tasked with defending against players such as Sadio Mane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Riyaz Mahrez, Roberto Firmino and more.