Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has admitted the club are looking at “alternative options” to Dean Henderson.
The Manchester United goalkeeper was expected to rejoin the Blades on loan this season. However, Wilder has revealed for the first time that the deal is in doubt.
“The lads wants to come, he’s told enough people on social media and he’s all over that,” the 51-year-old told the Sheffield Star.
“The football people at Manchester United want him to come back, I believe, and we want him to come back.
“But the deal, for whatever reason, is’t progressing at the pace we’d like. So there’s going to come a point when I have to start considering alternative options.”
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Alternative Henderson options
If the 22-year-old is no longer an option, then which other stoppers from the Premier League could Wilder target?
Martin Dubravka
According to the Daily Mail, the departure of Rafa Benitez as boss of Newcastle United has also cast Dubravka’s future into doubt.
As a result, Aston Villa have emerged as favourites to sign the Slovakia international. Manchester United, Monaco, Porto and Tottenham Hotspur are also understood to be interested in Dubravka.
If the Blades were to make a move for the 30-year-old it would mean them having to break their transfer record yet again. He is valued at £12m.
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Tom Heaton
Another being linked with Villa this summer is Heaton. The Daily Star says Burnley have told the England international he can leave for the right price.
Clarets chief Sean Dyche is having to juggle three ‘keeper options, with Joe Hart and Nick Pope also at Turf Moor.
The Sun reports the Villans have tested the market with a £7m opening offer for Heaton. The 33-year-old has entered the final year of his current contract.
Alex McCarthy
Like Burnley, Southampton have decisions to make in goal as well with three current contenders. Unsurprisingly, Villa are being touted with McCarthy.
The Express and Star reports of their interest, but say the Birmingham side face competition from Liverpool.
McCarthy has fallen behind Angus Gunn as the Saints’ number one. Fraser Forster is also on the books at St Mary’s.
