Sunderland accept £20m Liverpool bid for Jordan Henderson

The England international, 20, headed to Anfield yesterday to have a medical and discuss personal terms. It is thought French striker David Ngog could travel in the opposite direction,

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."

Henderson would be 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 otherwise.

Henderson, who will head to Denmark later this week to link up with the England Under-21 squad for the European Championships, 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 wasted little time in attempting to bolster their squad in anticipation of Henderson's departure by submitting a triple bid to Manchester United.

It is understood the Black Cats have tabled a joint offer amounting to more than 12million for defender Wes Brown, midfielder Darron Gibson and an un-named third member of Sir Alex Ferguson's first-team squad. England international Brown, 31, has seen his career hampered by injury in recent years.

And Gibson has struggled to gain a place in United's star-studded midfield. The 23-year-old's Republic of Ireland boss, Giovanni Trapattoni, has on more than one occasion suggested he might benefit from a move to a club where he would play every week.

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn promised yesterday that Steve Bruce's squad would be strengthened and he will hope the latest development is viewed as a sign of intent by fans disappointed at Henderson's departure, which follows Darren Bent's January defection to Aston Villa.

Quinn said: "Jordan is a credit to himself, his family and Sunderland's Academy and everyone here wishes him the very best for the future.

"I'm pleased that we got the deal to a level that we felt was right for our club."