Henderson has said goodbye to Sheffield United after his loan at Bramall Lane: “I will look back at the last two years as an important chapter in my career… I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to learn and develop with such a class group of lads”

Dean Henderson has spent the last two seasons on loan at Sheffield United and has bid farewell to the Blades

Dean Henderson and Manchester United’s negotiations over a new long-term deal for the goalkeeper are now at an advanced stage.

Four months of talks are closing in on a long-term deal which will be worth in excess of £100,000-a-week for the 23-year-old – making him one of the best paid goalkeepers in world football.

It also brings closer the prospect of Henderson and David de Gea going toe to toe for the coveted No 1 jersey at Old Trafford next season.

On Wednesday afternoon Henderson posted a goodbye message to Sheffield United fans on Instagram, bringing to an end any slim chance of a third season at Bramall Lane.

Aaron Ramsdale (left) has signed for Sheffield United, with Dean Henderson (right) having announced his departure from the Blades

He wrote: “I would like to thank the manager, my team-mates, the backroom staff and of course, the fans, who have been unbelievable towards to me.

“I will look back at the last two years as an important chapter in my career and more than anything, I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to learn and develop with such a class group of lads.

“I can’t wait for the next chapter! Once again, thank you for everything! Once a Blade, always a Blade!”

For now, it has not been decided if the England ‘keeper will go back out on loan next season – or whether he will get his wish to battle it out with De Gea.

Up to seven Premier League teams have made it known they are keen to take Henderson on a season-long loan if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer chooses to stick with De Gea.

Henderson’s new bumper contract will likely keep him at Old Trafford well beyond De Gea’s present deal to June 2023, with an option of a further year.

De Gea has endured a comparatively poor last 18 months at Old Trafford and news of progress on Henderson’s deal is likely to raise questions over the Spaniard’s long-term future at United.

De Gea earns around £375,000 a week, making it unlikely that he will leave Old Trafford this summer.

Meanwhile, Sheffield United confirmed the arrival of Bournemouth keeper Aaron Ramsdale in a deal worth around £18.5m, following the England U21 international’s medical on Wednesday.

‘Solskjaer’s goalkeeper conundrum’

Sky Sports’ Danny Higginbotham discusses the “difficult” decision Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has to make next season regarding his No 1 goalkeeper…

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Former Manchester United defender Danny Higginbotham expects Dean Henderson to challenge David de Gea for the No 1 spot at Old Trafford this season

“The problem you’ve got is you have three top-class goalkeepers at United now. You’ve got (Sergio) Romero, who has come in and done an unbelievable job. You’ve got De Gea, who we know has been an outstanding goalkeeper for Manchester United, but he’s had a few not-so-good moments this season.

“Then you’ve got Henderson, who is arguably going to be challenging for that No 1 spot for England, so for him to come back to Manchester United, if he’s not going to go out on loan again, then it would suggest to me that he’s probably been told that he can challenge David de Gea.

“Whether Henderson signs a new contract or not and then goes out on loan for another year, we don’t know, we’ll have to wait and see, and then De Gea maybe moves on at the end of next season.

“It’s just about the waiting game now but it’s a conundrum and a difficult one for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. It’s a good headache to have though because he’s got three top-class goalkeepers and arguably the next England goalkeeper in Henderson coming back to the club.”

Summer transfer window – key dates and times

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A domestic-only window for trades between the Premier League and EFL then runs from October 5 and closes on Friday, October 16 at 5pm. Follow all the news and analysis on Sky Sports News and across Sky Sports‘ digital platforms, including with our dedicated Transfer Centre blog.

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