Chelsea are ready to more than double the wages of Dean Henderson to tempt the goalkeeper to join them this summer, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Blues manager, Frank Lampard, has grown increasingly dissatisfied with Kepa Arrizabalaga. Lampard views Henderson as the ideal replacement.
The 23-year-old is about to complete his second successive season on loan at Sheffield United. He’s believed to currently earn around £70,000-a-week at parent club, Manchester United.
Chelsea are prepared to increase Henderson’s weekly earnings to £170,000 as part of a deal to bring him to Stamford Bridge.
The ‘keeper is said to be “desperate” to play for boyhood side Man United. However, he is not prepared to serve as backup to David de Gea in their squad.
Unless the Red Devils can assure him of first team football, Henderson will seek a permanent move elsewhere to achieve it.
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All of this is bad news for the Blades, who are keen to bring the England Under-21 international back to Bramall Lane on loan for a third campaign.
They would be unable to compete financially with the Blues for a permanent transfer.
Chelsea interest isn’t only issue in potential Henderson deal
There are other problems for the Blades in their pursuit of Henderson, away from west London.
The first is at Old Trafford, where the form of De Gea is causing boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer an unwanted headache. The Spaniard made another costly mistake at the weekend as Man United were beaten by Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals.
It was the fifth high profile error De Gea has made this term alone. Yet in truth, the 29-year-old’s form has been problematic for well over a year.
Solskjaer has repeatedly described Henderson as a “future” Red Devils number one. But it’s whether the Norwegian is willing to fast-track that plan. Especially considering De Gea only recently signed a new contract to keep him at the club until 2023.
Jose Mourinho is also understood to be an admirer of Henderson, having briefly managed him at Old Trafford himself. In fact, Mourinho apparently rates him higher than De Gea. Tottenham Hotspur have previously been linked with a £22m move.
Yet it’s now believed Spurs are unlikely to compete with Chelsea for Henderson.
Unfortunately, all of this stacks against the Blades and their hopes of re-signing the stopper. It could still happen, but there are many obstacles to overcome.