Dean Henderson has returned to Manchester United after his loan spell (Getty Images)
According to The Sun (h/t Daily Express), Tottenham are lining up a raid on Premier League rivals Man United for out-of-favour goalkeeper Dean Henderson next summer.
The Lilywhites are in danger of losing their long-serving current No.1 Hugo Lloris at the end of the season. The Frenchman has entered the last 18 months of his contract in North London and has been touted for a reunion with former manager Mauricio Pochettino at Paris Saint-Germain. (The Sun h/t Daily Express)
Tottenham, who are well aware of the risk of parting ways with the 34-year-old, have already lined up some alternatives in the market. As per the report, Henderson is part of the club’s two-man shortlist to replace Lloris, with West Brom star Sam Johnstone also mentioned as a potential target for Jose Mourinho’s side.
It has also been claimed that Henderson is growing increasingly frustrated with his lack of game time at Old Trafford and could push for a departure next summer. The 23-year-old had been tipped to challenge David de Gea for the No.1 role this season following his arrival from loan spell at Sheffield United. Ole Gunnar Solskajer, though, has handed the young Englishman just a couple of starts in the PL so far, with De Gea still very much the club’s undisputed No.1.
Putting things into context, Dean Henderson ticks plenty of boxes to come through the door at Tottenham as a long-term replacement for Lloris. The England international has struggled to establish himself as United’s first-choice between the sticks. But that has more to do with De Gea’s dominance rather than his quality as a shot-stopper.
Henderson shot to prominence during his loan spell at Sheffield United in the Championship during the 2018-19 season, keeping 21 clean sheets as the Blades secured automatic promotion. Having rejoined the club on loan for the following campaign, Henderson made a big impression in the Premier League with 13 clean sheets to guide Chris Wilder’s side to a 9th-place finish last term.
Tottenham roped in Joe Hart from Burnley to bolster their goalkeeping department in the summer. The veteran was selected ahead of Paulo Gazzaniga in the club’s Europa League squad and he has justified himself as a worthy back-up for Lloris. However, he’s hardly a long-term option at 33, meaning Spurs need to freshen up their options in goal with an eye on the future.
With Gazzaniga tipped to depart in January (h/t Football London), the door remains open for a top-quality young goalkeeper like Dean Henderson to establish himself as Tottenham’s No.1 should Lloris depart. In fact, Spurs should look to complete a deal for the Man United graduate irrespective of what the future holds for Lloris, with the Frenchman already 34.
Tottenham certainly can’t hope to snap up Dean Henderson on the cheap given that the goalkeeper signed a new long-term deal with Man United at the start of the season. However, given his talent and potential, he would be well worth a significant outlay for Mourinho.
The 23-year-old still has plenty of room for development and looks more than capable of evolving into a wonderful long-term servant in North London.