Transfer News: Manchester United in danger of losing Dean Henderson to Arsenal or Benfica

Manchester United are reportedly in danger of losing Dean Henderson, who is on the radar of Arsenal and Benfica, on a free transfer

According to The Sun, Manchester United are in real danger of losing academy graduate Dean Henderson on a free transfer. The goalkeeper, who is on the radar of Arsenal, Benfica and a number of Championship outfits, is yet to sign a new deal with the Red Devils, with his contract set to expire in the summer of 2018.

Dean Henderson is currently on loan at Shrewsbury and he has had a good start to his life at the League One club, with 5 shutouts recorded in 10 league matches so far, conceding just 6 goals in the process. The 20-year-old has also had a season-long loan spell at Grimsby Town in League Two last season as well.

Arriving from Carlisle United in 2011, Dean Henderson has always been regarded as a bright future prospect at Manchester United. The player had come to the fore as he helped the English Under-20 squad to the World Cup triumph earlier in the year and his displays at Shrewsbury has got the attention of a number of clubs.

Arsenal are interested in the goalkeeper, with the Gunners lacking prospects in the said department and are watching the player’s contract situation closely. The Gunners though, will have to pay a compensation fee and will only be able to negotiate with the player in the summer of 2018.

The aforementioned situation could hand Benfica a clear advantage in the race. The Portuguese giants have already taken a scalp in the form of Chris Willock, who chose to leave Arsenal in the summer transfer window.

With Benfica allowed to negotiate with the player from January itself, they could beat Arsenal to the highly-rated 20-year-old, who is also on the radar of a number of Championship outfits, which could also interest the Manchester United academy graduate more.

Henderson has tasted first-team football last season at Grimsby and is now flourishing at Shrewsbury Town. The 20-year-old is now hesitant to go back to playing in the youth squads and is looking for assurance from Jose Mourinho as regards a future path into the first-team before committing to a new deal.

The assurance, though, is unlikely to come, with United already having David De Gea, Sergio Romero and Joel Castro Pereira at their disposal. And even if David De Gea leaves for Real Madrid – a long-established link – Jose Mourinho is likely to bring in a new keeper to Old Trafford.

Amidst this chaos, Henderson might look for newer pastures once his United deal runs out. Till then, Manchester United would be trying their utmost best to tie the player down to a new deal. It would be interesting to see if Henderson does commit or ends up at a different club in the summer.