Chelsea are hoping to secure a big-money deal for Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who has spent the last two years on loan at Sheffield United.
Henderson is now 23 years old and his sights firmly set on the number one spot at Old Trafford, but with David De Gea at the club, his chances of first team action are slim.
The keeper looks more likely to head out on loan for a sixth time, and probably for a third spell with the Blades after two impressive seasons with the South Yorkshire club.
However, according the the Sun, Chelsea are looking to pounce on the situation and tempt him to west London where he would be the first choice goalkeeper.
Despite only playing one season in the Premier League, the Blues are willing to offer around £50m for the young stopper, and persuade United to part with one of their brightest young talents.
In his only Premier League campaign so far, Henderson has kept 11 clean sheets in 28 appearances, the joint most in the division alongside Burnley’s Nick Pope.
Chelsea currently have Kepa Arrizabalaga and Willy Caballero as their options in goal, but manager Frank Lampard is not convinced by either of them, chopping and changing between the two last season.
Henderson would be brought in to take the first team gloves and that would vastly improve his chances of becoming England’s first choice as well, although he is yet to make his full international debut.
De Gea appears to be a waning force at Manchester United, but the Spaniard signed a new long-term deal in September last year, keeping him at the club until 2023, making Henderson’s progression difficult.
Sheffield United will be hoping to persuade the player and the Red Devils to keep hold of him and loan him back to Bramall Lane again, something that may become easier if the Blades upset the odds to grab a European place this season.
Speaking in November about Henderson’s future, Manchester United boss Ole Gunner Solskjaer was non-committal as to when he would look to bring him back into the fold.
‘Sheffield United and Chris Wilder have had a big impact on him,’ Solskjaer told MUTV. ‘He’s learning and growing as a human being and as a player.
‘He’ll come back one day and he’ll have a good career at Man United.’
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has ruled out the possibility of signing Henderson permanently, but would love to get him on a short-term deal again.
‘It won’t be on a permanent basis, definitely not,’ Wilder said in January. ‘His future is at Manchester United, no doubt.
‘If the opportunity came about that figure would be huge. If the opportunity comes about that we could get him back on loan next season we’d be all over that.
‘He wants to play first team football. Maybe I shouldn’t be saying this, but I’m not so sure he’ll play back-up to anybody because it’s just the character of the boy.’
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