LIAM HENDERSON’S Hellas Verona are battling for survival with the smallest budget in Serie A, it has been revealed.
Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport have carried out their annual study of salaries in the top-flight and reported that the Gialloblu pay just €25 million (£22.3 million) in wages every year.
It is stated that Henderson, who made the switch to the Bentegodi from Bari in the summer of 2018, earns €300,000 a year (£270,000), which equates to around £5,000 a week.
He is the 13th highest-paid player at the club.
Verona’s top earner is former Italy internationalist Giampaolo Pazzini, who banks €1.3 million (£1.2 million) despite being far from a guaranteed starter at the age of 35.
Henderson is the first Scot to feature in Serie A since Graeme Souness departed Sampdoria in 1986 – and has started both of Verona’s matches during an undefeated start to their league campaign this term.
Verona’s budget is €3 million (£2.7 million) less than their nearest financial competitors, Brescia, who also operate on a shoestring but were able to splash out on the signing of Mario Balotelli over the summer.
Cristiano Ronaldo earns €31 million (£28 million) a year, meaning his salary alone is more than the entire wage bill of Verona, Brescia, SPAL and Udinese.
Meanwhile, Lazio, who Celtic will face in the Europa League, pay €72 million (£64 million) to their assembled stars – the sixth-highest total in the division.
Former Manchester United transfer target Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Italy marksman Ciro Immobile are their top earners at a yearly €2.5 million (£2.2 million) apiece.
