Manchester United are in talks with Mansfield Town about a possible loan extension for Nathan Bishop, though the preference is for him to move to a club higher in the Football League pyramid this summer.
Bishop, 22, had an agonising end to a fantastic season with Mansfield at the weekend as they lost 3-0 to Port Vale in the League Two play-off final.
The United youngster made 53 appearances in total for The Stags, keeping 16 clean sheets as they finished seventh in the fourth division of English football.
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Bishop will likely be allowed to leave on loan again this summer in order to continue with his development, though there is a chance he could start pre-season with the United first team given the uncertainty regarding Dean Henderson's future.
Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow and Watford custodian Daniel Bachmann are under consideration as back-up signings to offset the expected departure of Henderson, while veteran Lee Grant has retired from football.
United are open to installing Tom Heaton as their second-choice goalkeeper this summer, which means Bishop or youngster Matej Kovar could well start the summer as third-choice.
Earlier in the week, Mansfield boss Nigel Clough revealed his desire to keep Bishop at the club next season, though he admitted a move to a League One club might be more likely.
“I certainly need to look at the goalkeeping situation,” Clough told the Mansfield Chad.
“We would love to keep Nathan Bishop so we have already instigated a discussion with Manchester United about that.
“Ideally I think they want him to go into the league above, but if it's a lower League One club we are hoping to only be five or six places below them.
“Nathan knows us and I think he enjoys working with Seamus McDonagh. That has got to be one of the major attractions for him.
“He is working with one of the best goalkeeping coaches and one of the most experienced goalkeeping coaches in the country.
“He has just played 52 games for us, which I think is more than he has played in his career. Do the same again next season and you will improve again.”
