Nottingham Forest ‘still want Dean Henderson despite Matt Turner deal’

Nottingham Forest are supposedly still hoping to sign Manchester United‘s Dean Henderson this summer, despite reports of an agreement with Arsenal‘s Matt Turner.

With the Gunners expected to wrap up a deal for Brentford’s David Raya in the coming days, USA number one Turner will be free to leave in search of regular football.

It has been claimed that Arsenal and Forest have now reached a verbal agreement for the transfer of Turner, who was nevertheless named on the bench for Sunday’s Community Shield win over Manchester City.

The 29-year-old is also believed to have accepted Forest’s contract proposal, and talk of a move for Henderson has cooled as the Tricky Trees work to finalise the American’s arrival.

However, NottinghamshireLive reports that Steve Cooper is still keen to strike a permanent deal for Henderson following his largely successful loan spell in the 2022-23 campaign

The 26-year-old immediately became Cooper’s first choice in between the sticks, keeping six clean sheets in 18 Premier League matches before he entered the treatment room with a thigh injury.

Paris Saint-Germain loanee Keylor Navas arrived in January to cover for the stricken Henderson, and the Costa Rican also impressed as Forest retained their Premier League status.

Navas has since returned to the French capital, though, and Cooper has subsequently been left with Ethan Horvath and Wayne Hennessey as his only two goalkeeping options.

As a result, the Forest manager supposedly wants to welcome two new shot-stoppers to the club this summer, although getting a deal for Turner over the line is their current priority.

Henderson would therefore face stiff competition for starts in a Forest jersey next season, but the England international is supposedly still keen to rejoin Cooper’s ranks on a permanent basis.

Furthermore, Henderson has not featured at all for Man United in pre-season as he continues to recover from surgery, and he would play second fiddle to Andre Onana should he stay put.

The ex-Sheffield United loanee briefly ousted David de Gea as the Red Devils’ number one in the 2020-21 season, but he quickly handed the gloves back over to the Spaniard and played just three games for the club in the 2021-22 season.

Henderson now has 13 clean sheets to show from 29 matches for Man United, whom he has represented since 2011, but he memorably blasted the club’s “criminal” treatment of him last summer in the wake of his disappointing 2021-22 season, having been blocked from leaving on loan two years ago.

Forest are believed to be discussing a loan deal with an obligation to buy based on appearances for Henderson, who is out of contract at Old Trafford in the summer of 2025.

Cooper’s side face a daunting trip to Arsenal in their Premier League opener on August 12, while Man United host Wolverhampton Wanderers to kick off the new season two days later.

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Nottingham Forest have been linked with a move for Corinthians central defender Murillo.

The Reds have been linked with a number of central defenders in the last week with the rookie Brazilian the latest man to be touted.

 

The report comes from Brazilian journalist according to journalist Jorge Nicola, via SportWitness. Nicola notes that Forest will make a bid of €15m ‘in the coming hours’ for the 21-year-old.

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Murillo has only played 28 senior games in his career after breaking through in the last year, but he is highly regarded and is said to have been the subject of a €13m bid from Serie A champions Napoli. The offer was rejected and Napoli have since signed Nathan from RB Bragantino.

Nicola claims that Corinthians are asking for €20m for the powerful left footed centre back.

A move for a player of his profile makes sense with Moussa Niakhate missing the start of the season with an arm injury, while there are also doubts around Felipe’s fitness ahead of the opening game of the season against Arsenal on Saturday.

Forest reportedly lodged a €25m bid for Roma defender Roger Ibanez last week but he is now poised to move to Saudi Arabia after Forest were outbid.

They have also been linked with highly regarded Croatian centre half Josip Sutalo form Dinamo Zagreb.

The 23-year-old has been on fine form in his native Croatia, playing well in the Champions League and breaking into the national team.