Manchester United may be poised to significantly increase their summer transfer budget due to Nottingham Forest's desire to sign Dean Henderson on a long-term basis.
Henderson, a goalkeeper with an estimated market worth of £30 million, spent the season on loan at the City Ground after he left Old Trafford in quest of consistent first-team action. After defeating Arsenal on Saturday to ensure their survival, Forest is prepared to keep the young England goalie in the East Midlands on a long-term basis.
Former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer once predicted that the Three Lions goalie with one cap would start for the team. "This season has proved a great experience for him," Solskjaer said in 2020 after Henderson impressed on loan at Sheffield United. "He's done himself some favours with his performances, and proved he will be England's no 1 and Man United's no 1 at some point."
"It's not my job to keep the players happy or in the team or out of it. Part of it is their responsibility of performing and doing well. Dean has made some great choices over the years and developed fantastically - and still is."
Henderson, however, is set to decide it's time to go on after losing to David de Gea last season and witnessing the Spaniard earn the Premier League's Golden Glove this time around.
While De Gea was reinstated as United's No. 1 goalkeeper last season, Henderson did not play a single minute in the league despite playing 13 Premier League games as United finished second.
Newly-promoted Henderson signed a contract with Forest for the entire season in the summer, and the 26-year-old was a regular for Steve Cooper before suffering an injury. Forest has now made it obvious that they want to relocate permanently.
The goalkeeper's thigh injury has kept him out of action since January, and he has yet to make a comeback. To fill in for Keylor Navas' absence, the struggling Premier League team signed him on a temporary basis, but they want Henderson to take over as their main player in the coming season.
When Henderson sustained his injury, Cooper's team was as high as 13th, but only a weekend victory against Arsenal prevented their survival battle from extending into the last day of the season. A goal from Taiwo Awoniyi was sufficient to defeat the league's runners-up, ensuring that Southampton will join Everton, Leeds, and Leicester in relegation to the Championship.
When asked in early May if Henderson would stay longer, Forest's manager was evasive.
"Hard to say. I have enjoyed working with him, we have all enjoyed Dean and the personality he is," Cooper said.
“All you see mainly is when he is in goal but there is more to him than that. He is a real good professional, he really cares, he has a fantastic mentality of winning and wanting to be the best, we have really enjoyed working with him and are grateful for what he has given to us and what he will continue to give to us."
“With Dean he is on loan from Manchester United but he really bought into the football club and the city, moving here and making it a permanent base for the loan showed he really wanted to be part of it on and off the pitch."
And with Dean Henderson on the 13-man summer transfer list of United players who are set to be offloaded, the Red Devils are working hard to ensure David De Gea signs a new contract before the opening of the transfer window.
However, his position as the first team's goalkeeper for next season is in doubt. As confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United are working on the possibility of bringing in a possible backup goalie and replacement for the 32-year-old.
After implying that a deal for a new contract for de Gea was about to be reached, Romano exclusively disclosed to GIVEMESPORT that a backup choice is being taken into consideration.
"It means that, of course, David de Gea will stay. But, from what I understand, the idea of Manchester United is to explore the market for a backup goalkeeper who can create some competition."
"It's no guarantee that de Gea will always be the starter next season."
Several candidates are being considered, with both Tom Heaton and Jack Butland, the current backup keepers, all set to exit. FC Porto's Diogo Costa is reported to be at the top of the list, and Manchester United's scouts have in recent weeks gone to Portugal to watch the 23-year-old. Brentford's David Raya, who will command a transfer fee of around £40 million, is also a target.
Anderlecht youngster Bart Verbruggen, who is valued at around £17 million, is also linked with a move to Old Trafford.
Dean Henderson is also a strong candidate for Tottenham Hotspur's Hugo Lloris replacement, as the France international is reportedly in his last season for the North London club.
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