Nottingham Forest 'open talks over Dean Henderson deal'

Nottingham Forest are reportedly in discussions with Manchester United over a loan deal for Dean Henderson.

The 25-year-old is widely expected to leave Old Trafford this summer, with new head coach Erik ten Hag set to name David de Gea as the club's number one goalkeeper for the 2022-23 campaign.

Newcastle United have been strongly linked with the England international in recent weeks, but talk of a switch to the Magpies has cooled since the start of the month.

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, newly-promoted Forest have opened talks with Man United over a loan deal for Henderson for the 2022-23 season.

Romano claims that there is likely to be an option to buy included in the agreement, potentially around £20m.

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Forest are allegedly determined to sign Henderson this summer, and the goalkeeper is also now open to the possibility of joining the Championship playoff winners ahead of their return to the Premier League.

Henderson was expected to start the 2021-22 campaign as Man United's number one, but he was sidelined for a long period with COVID-19, which allowed De Gea to secure the gloves, and the Spaniard was one of the club's better players during a disappointing season.

The stopper still has more than three years left to run on his contract at Old Trafford, which will make it difficult for clubs to sign him on a permanent basis this summer.

Henderson needs regular action in the first half of next season to stand a chance of making the England squad for the 2022 World Cup, though, and he could struggle to displace De Gea next term.

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The stopper did not make a single Premier League appearance for the Red Devils during the 2021-22 campaign, featuring on just three occasions in all competitions.

Henderson has made 29 appearances for Man United in all competitions, returning to the club in 2020 after two successful years on loan at Sheffield United, one of which was in the Premier League.

Brice Samba played a key role in Forest's return to the Premier League, but the goalkeeper has allegedly told the Reds that he will not be signing a new deal, which could lead to him leaving this summer.

Lee Grant has announced his retirement from professional football this summer, so Henderson's exit would leave Tom Heaton as the only first-team back-up to De Gea at Old Trafford.

As a result, a summer move for Henderson is likely to see the 20-time English champions enter the market for another goalkeeper, with Watford's Daniel Bachmann and Newcastle's Karl Darlow linked with moves to the club.