Dalglish plans to hi-jack Henderson deal

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish will offer to pay Jordan Henderson FOUR TIMES his Sunderland salary in a desperate bid to hijack the England starlet's expected switch to Manchester United this summer.

Dalglish hopes to agree a fee with Steve Bruce's club and reckons he is closing in on a deal worth up to £16million with the Black Cats.

Henderson is reported to be shocked by developments, particularly Liverpool's proposal to hand him a £65,000-a-week contract, when he currently gets £15,000.

But United boss Sir Alex Ferguson still reckons he is the one holding all the aces in the race. He is considering swap and loan deals with his former skipper Bruce after talks last week. Ferguson has asked to be kept informed if the Wearside club decide to cash in on £20m-rated Henderson, who is heading to Denmark this summer as a key member of Stuart Pearce's Under-21 side.

Bruce is desperate to land Old Trafford midfielder Darron Gibson as well as experienced defender Wes Brown - and they could form part of a swap deal.

The key to the deal could be Ferguson's stance on Danny Welbeck, with Bruce wanting to take the highly-rated youngster on loan again.

England striker Welbeck spent last season on loan at the Stadium of Light and impressed.

Ferguson is still weighing up the best options for the 20-year-old having initially told him to report back to Old Trafford and prepare to go on the club's summer tour to America.

But having handed Michael Owen another one-year deal, Welbeck's situation is under review - and Bruce hopes he can grab him again on a long-term loan.

Dalglish also has Blackpool skipper Charlie Adam in his sights for a midfield slot - but NOT winger Charles N'Zogbia. Wigan want around £10m for their French winger and do not want to sell to a club outside the top four.

Source: The People