Dean Henderson is closing in on a move to Crystal Palace in a transfer that will finally end the goalkeeper’s 12-year association with Manchester United.
The 26-year-old, who joined the Red Devils at the age of 14, has been pushing for a switch away from Old Trafford for over two years and now the ex-England international has got his wish.
Henderson spent the previous Premier League campaign on loan with Nottingham Forest – the club the stopper was expected to join this summer before the Tricky Trees opted to sign Matt Turner from Arsenal instead.
The former Carlisle United youngster is expected to seal a permanent transfer to Selhurst Park once the formalities of his deal are completed.
Dean Henderson to Palace – the latest update
Dean Henderson was an unused substitute for Manchester United on Saturday evening in the club’s dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Nottingham Forest, though news broke shortly after about an impending deal to take him to Palace.
Indeed, United have agreed on a fee with the Eagles for Henderson believed to be worth £15m plus a further £5m in add-ons, and the keeper has been given permission to travel to London to undergo a medical with his prospective employers.
Henderson racked up 29 first team appearances for United during his time there, though he was never able to dislodge David de Gea from the number one position at Old Trafford.
Henderson has been out on loan numerous times over the past few seasons, most notably at Sheffield United where his performances were enough to attract interest from Chelsea, who at the time, were believed to be ready to part with £50m to sign him.
Now Henderson has the chance to relaunch his career with Crystal Palace and he will hope that a more prominent role at Selhurst Park will allow him to re-establish himself as a regular member of Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of next summer’s European Championships.
Henderson was critical of United’s handling of his career last summer and the keeper has been on borrowed time at the club since.
One out, one in at United?
With Henderson’s move to Crystal Palace almost complete, United will be putting the final touches to the deal to bring his replacement, Altay Bayindir, to the Theatre of Dreams.
The Turkish goalie is set to arrive from Fenerbahce in a transfer worth around £4.3m. The Turkish international has already undertaken a series of medical examinations ahead of his move.
United had also weighed up a swoop for Benfica’s Odysseas Vlachodimos, however, the Greek net minder would have cost at least twice the financial package muted for Bayindir.
Altay Bayindir has been a regular feature for Fenerbahce over the past four years, playing 146 times for the Turkish giants between 2019 and this year.
Bayindir has also represented his country five times and though he penned fresh terms with Fenerbahce as recently as March, he is set to jet off for pastures new in England’s Premier League.
Fellow summer signing Andre Onana is certain to retain his spot in the team however, with Bayindir offering back-up and competition for the Cameroonian star. United are also believed to be in the market for a left-back following an injury crisis in the position.
