Nottingham Forest’s pursuit of Dean Henderson is set to have multiple knock-on effects for Erik ten Hag in his first window as Manchester United boss.
Newly-promoted Forest have earmarked Henderson as a replacement for Brice Samba, who informed City Ground bosses of his intention to leave this summer. Samba has just one year remaining on his current contract, but doesn’t plan on an extension, with Nantes believed to have launched an offer.
As for Henderson, Mirror Sport understands that he has grown frustrated at a lack of playing time having emphatically lost the battle for the No.1 jersey to David de Gea. The 24-year-old had appeared to have edged out De Gea at the end of the 2020/21 season, only for injuries to allow the Spaniard to reclaim his starting role.
In total, Henderson made just three appearances in all competitions last term and has understandably lost his place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad. And with just months before this winter’s World Cup, Henderson is fully aware he will need to be starting in order to get a place on the plane to Qatar.
Forest have opened talks with United over a season-long loan deal for Henderson, with a £20million option to buy at the end of the agreement. Should the goalkeeper make the move, it would leave the Red Devils with just Tom Heaton behind first choice De Gea.
Heaton returned to Old Trafford last summer on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract with the option for a further 12 months. Ten Hag will need to decide whether more viable competition to De Gea is required in what already promises to be a summer of radical overhaul at the club.
Henderson’s proposed move to Forest would also block James Garner making the same switch, having shone in the Championship under Steve Cooper. In total, the 21 year old midfielder scored four goals and registered 10 assists in a memorable season for the two-time European champions.
Unsurprisingly, Cooper is keen to bring him back to Forest for the third time, but there is now a hope that he could be allowed to thrive back at his parent club. The midfield department promises to look very different when the new season rolls around, with Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata all leaving.
That could open the door for Garner, who due to Premier League rules would not be able to follow Henderson to the East Midlands. In the latest regulations it forbids a team from having any more than four loan players registered - and no more than a solitary player from any other club at any one time.
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That’s not to say there won’t be interest elsewhere in a player once described as “the next Michael Carrick” by former boss Solskjaer. But after representing England U21s earlier this week, Garner hinted that he is looking forward to working with Ten Hag and hoping to impress him when he gets the chance.
Asked about his plans for the upcoming season, he said: "I'm not too sure, personally. I've not had much time to think in honesty. I've gone from the Championship play-off final to international football.
“I've not had a breather or time to think about what I want. I'd like to go on pre-season and impress. It's down to me as a player to impress and make a mark. I know how good a style of football Ajax play so it's exciting."
