Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has revealed that PSG were keen on signing Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson before they managed to land Lionel Messi on a free transfer this summer.
What happened with Henderson this summer?
With the 31-year-old's contract set to expire in 2023, he entered into negotiations with the club to extend his deal. However, it was reported in July that the two parties were struggling to come to an agreement, leading to speculation that Henderson could be on his way out of Anfield in the not-too-distant future.
Liverpool managed to tie a number of their other star players down to long-term contracts, including Fabinho, Alisson and Trent Alexander-Arnold. It looked like they might not be able to do the same with Henderson, until eventually on the final day of August he signed on the dotted line to commit his future to the Merseyside outfit for another four years.
What did Romano say about PSG's interest in Henderson?
Romano has confirmed that the French giants did want to bring in Henderson at one point in the recent transfer window, although confirmed that their plans changed when it became clear that they had the opportunity to sign Messi from Barcelona.
Speaking on The Here We Go Podcast, he said: “For Jordan Henderson, I want to say, behind the scenes PSG were thinking of Jordan Henderson as a potential new signing before the Leo Messi opportunity, because Leo Messi was an opportunity, it was not something planned.
“Before signing Messi, they were looking for a midfielder. Pogba was more than complicated because Man United wanted to keep him, and Paris Saint-Germain were looking for Jordan Henderson when he had no agreement with Liverpool over a new contract.”
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How important is it that Liverpool managed to keep Henderson?
Extremely important.
Henderson may now be into his thirties, but it should be remembered that he only won the FWA Football of the Year award a little over 12 months ago, and still has plenty left in the tank.
His role in Liverpool's midfield is vital to the way the team play, as he allows the side's front three and full-backs to flourish while he covers every blade of grass to ensure that the team is well-balanced.
The 66-cap international has already shown his value to the Reds this season, netting a stunning winner in their thrilling Champions League victory over AC Milan earlier this month.
Jurgen Klopp may need to manage his minutes carefully at times over the next few years as he grows older, but with the way he is currently playing there is no reason why he can't continue to play a major role in Liverpool's success over the coming seasons.