Roland Cutinho
Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson is set to secure a permanent transfer to Crystal Palace this summer
According to the Telegraph [subscription required] (h/t the Daily Mail), Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson has been granted permission to undergo a medical examination with Crystal Palace on Saturday.
According to Laurie Whitwell of the Athletic, the two clubs have reached an agreement over a permanent transfer for the England international.
The English star has failed to secure the position of the Red Devils’ first-choice goalkeeper and is now allowed to leave Old Trafford before the transfer window closes on Friday.
Initially, a permanent transfer to Nottingham Forest appeared to be the most likely scenario, especially after Henderson played a key role in helping Steve Cooper’s team avoid relegation to the Championship last season.
Negotiations between Forest and the United shot-stopper didn’t yield a positive outcome, forcing Forest to redirect their focus towards former Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner.
Following Forest’s change in plans, Crystal Palace, who are expected to lose Vicente Guaita soon, have been actively pursuing Henderson to bolster their goalkeeping options and provide competition for Sam Johnstone.
United have now granted the 26-year-old star permission to undergo a medical examination with the Eagles on Saturday, as significant progress has been made in negotiations with Roy Hodgson’s team.
While a complete agreement between the clubs is still pending, it’s expected that Henderson will become a Palace player in the coming days, with personal terms to be worked out.
The Academy graduate has mostly been on the bench at United, aside from a brief stint with the first team during the 2020-21 season.
Since joining the club in 2011, he has only made 29 senior appearances. With David de Gea’s departure and Andre Onana taking over as the first-choice goalkeeper, Henderson has been an unused substitute in each of United’s first three matches in the 2023-24 season.
Now, the experienced keeper is expected to compete for the top goalkeeper spot at Selhurst Park, while the Red Devils are close to securing his replacement. United are set to finalise a cost-effective deal for Fenerbahce goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.
Should Henderson indeed move to Palace, he will face competition from Johnstone for a place in the starting lineup.
However, it’s expected that he will see considerably more playing time than he would have at Old Trafford.
More Manchester United News
- Cameroon and Manchester United star Andre Onana to come out of international retirement
- Harry Maguire is expected to stay at Manchester United this summer
- Brentford striker Ivan Toney eyed by Manchester United for January transfer
Unless any unexpected movement occurs, it appears that the Englishman might finally achieve his wish to depart from the club and begin a new chapter elsewhere.
