Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Dean Henderson strikes Newcastle agreement, with Man Utd talks over deal’s structure in progress

Man Utd goalkeeper Dean Henderson, May 2022

An agreement over personal terms is in place between Dean Henderson and Newcastle, and the structure of his Man Utd exit is currently under deliberation, per a report.

The goalkeeper, 25, suffered a setback last season when slipping to a distant second choice behind David de Gea. Henderson had split time with the Spaniard the season prior, though De Gea’s return to form ensured he remained firmly rooted to the bench. That resulted in Henderson not notching a single minute of league action last term.

De Gea won the Manchester United Players’ Player of the Season award. It was the fourth time he scooped that accolade and his first since the 2017-18 campaign.

With De Gea back to his best, the chances of a Henderson exit this summer always appeared high.

The 25-year-old has fallen out of contention for England’s World Cup squad. What’s more, widespread reports have claimed he’s keen to re-establish himself as one of the finest goalkeepers in the Premier League. The only way he can achieve that aim is to play regularly.

Newcastle were linked with a January loan swoop, and per 90min, they’re back in for Henderson six months on.

In fact, the report states an agreement over personal terms has already been struck. All that remains is for the two clubs to determine whether a loan or permanent deal will be sanctioned.

Shedding light on that aspect of the move, the article states Newcastle are ‘continuing to hold talks’ with Man Utd about the stopper.

Man Utd preference emerges

Eddie Howe’s side are reportedly prepared to use up one of their domestic loan slots on Dean Henderson if they have to. Alternatively, it’s claimed the Red Devils would prefer a permanent exit.

That would allow them to reinvest the funds in other departments of their squad. Henderson’s exit would see Tom Heaton promoted to No 2 if a direct replacement isn’t signed.

The Northern Echo recently stated Newcastle could test the waters with an opening bid of £15m.

Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson in talks with Newcastle

Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson in talks with Newcastle

Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson is reportedly closing in on a move to Newcastle.

That meshes with 90min’s report which noted Newcastle will aim to secure any permanent deal for under £20m. The Telegraph reported in May Man Utd may seek around £30m to let Henderson go for good.

Clearly, there are still kinks to be ironed out if a permanent exit is on the agenda. However, with personal terms already agreed and the player adamant he wants out, a Man Utd exit in one form or another looks likely this summer.

Man Utd making a mistake with Dean Henderson?

The answer to that depends entirely on how long the club believe De Gea can remain an elite-level operator. He has another year left on his current deal and the club hold an option for a further 12 months.

But aged only 31, De Gea still has plenty of prime years left as a goalkeeper. If Henderson does depart, it would not come as a surprise to see De Gea pen an extension down the line.

From Newcastle’s perspective, they’d be landing a goalkeeper who performed miracles in his only full season of top flight action.

Henderson was simply sensational with Sheffield United in the 2019-20 campaign when helping the Blades to a remarkable ninth-placed finish.

If signed, he would unquestionably represent an upgrade on current No 1 Martin Dubravka.