Manchester United are considering signing a new goalkeeper this summer, with Dean Henderson edging closer to Nottingham Forest.
Henderson has grown tired of playing second fiddle to David de Ge at United and wants regular first-team football in order to try and force his way into Gareth Southgate’s squad for the World Cup later this year. He is in talks with newly-promoted Forest over a season-long loan move – an eventuality which would leave United short of depth in that position.
Veteran goalkeeper Lee Grant has retired, leaving Tom Heaton as the only other back-up to De Gea ahead of the 2022/23 season, if as expected, Henderson leaves. That series of events has led United to draw up a shortlist of potential new arrivals, according to the Manchester Evening News .
Second-choice goalkeepers are a specialist breed and there are not many players willing to join a club knowing they will spend the majority of the season warming the bench. United have reportedly identified Newcastle United’s Karl Darlow and Watford ’s Daniel Bachmann as possible targets.
Darlow is behind Martin Dubravka in the pecking order at Newcastle and, after suffering from Covid-19, struggled to make an impact last season. The 31-year-old played just eight times for the Magpies in the 2021/22 campaign and could be tempted into a change of scenery.
Bachmann has experienced a similar situation at Watford, where Ben Foster generally played in goal during the club’s relegation campaign from the Premier League. The 27-year-old played 12 times in the league for Watford last season, but has international experience, having won 13 caps for Austria since making his debut last year.
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The Athletic reports that Maduka Okoye, who has arrived at Watford for £5million from Sparta Rotterdam, will be installed as Watford’s first-choice keeper next season, with Foster’s contract up. Despite being under contract until June 2024, Bachmann is considering his position and is valued at between £2m and £4m.
Bachmann was Austria’s first-choice goalkeeper at Euro 2020 last year, but was not selected by Ralf Rangnick for the most recent squad. Another possible factor pushing him towards the exit at Watford is the fact most of the squad will be forced to take 50 per cent wage cuts ahead of the coming campaign following relegation.
United clearly have greater priorities in the summer transfer window, with Erik ten Hag targeting two central midfielders, a centre-back and a striker following his arrival as manager. Therefore it could be that United focus their efforts and funds elsewhere and promote from within to fill their goalkeeping void.
Heaton is an experienced keeper and joined United last year on the assumption he would be No2 behind De Gea. The 36-year-old could be entrusted with the position if Henderson leaves temporarily for Forest, who are in need of a keeper due to Brice Samba’s refusal to sign a new contract. Meanwhile, Nathan Bishop has returned from a successful loan at Mansfield Town and will be given a chance to impress Ten Hag on the pre-season tour.
