Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard gives fresh transfer mission to Marina Granovskaia
Chelsea want to sign Manchester United star Dean Henderson when the transfer window reopens at the end of the season.
Chelsea: Frank Lampard is ‘searching’ for players says pundit
Chelsea are reportedly preparing a massive contract offer for Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson ahead of the summer transfer window. The Blues are eager to sign a replacement for Kepa Arrizabalaga, who has struggled for consistency ever since his move two years ago. And Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is now facing a fight to keep hold of his club’s promising shot-stopper.
Chelsea have seen Kepa struggle in the two years since he moved to Stamford Bridge.
They’ve been linked with Jan Oblak and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, but the Manchester Evening News say the Blues want to sign Henderson instead.
It’s claimed the west London giants are willing to pay the goalkeeper a salary of £170,000-a-week in order to entice him to the capital.
Henderson currently earns £70,000 a week at United.
Lampard has reportedly tasked Chelsea chiefs with the task of getting a deal for Henderson done when the transfer window reopens.
But what ultimately happens remains to be seen.
LATEST LIVE SPORT TV DEALS
United boss Solskjaer is a huge admirer of Henderson and tipped him to become No 1 for club and country in the foreseeable future.
But he doesn’t want to play second fiddle to David De Gea at Old Trafford and would be guaranteed minutes at Chelsea instead.
Henderson will return to United once his loan with Sheffield United ends next week.
Solskjaer’s side are expected to try and tie him down to a new contract when he heads back, determined to safeguard his future.
But what ultimately happens remains to be seen.
DON’T MISS
Man Utd have perfect player to offer Borussia Dortmund in Jadon Sancho transfer talks
Man Utd star Paul Pogba wants to stay at Old Trafford - EXCLUSIVE
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may have signed the next Nani
Meanwhile, former West Ham ace Don Hutchison has been urged to sign a new goalkeeper - but feels Henderson isn’t the finished article just yet.
"I actually haven't spoken to Frank on Kepa but I think they should 100 per cent should sign another goalkeeper because I don't see Kepa ever making big saves," Hutchison told ESPN FC.
"Do you ever see him pull out a save where you go 'oh, that's rescued Chelsea a point' or 'oh that's rescued Chelsea three points'?
"I know you have to give young kids time to develop, you look at De Gea when he [first went to] United and he was quite slim and quite slight and developed into a very good goalkeeper.
"But I just see Kepa in the net and I just see Chelsea with him and with a suspect couple of centre-halves I think they look really fragile and really vulnerable.
THINK YOU KNOW FOOTBALL? Football quiz questions and answers: 15 questions and answers for your home pub quiz
"You can go and sign [Marc Andre] Ter Stegen, you can go and sign [Jan] Oblak, you can go and sign anyone you want."
Solskjaer said in June that Henderson would be No 1 for club and country at some point.
“It’s a different job to be playing for Sheffield United and for Manchester United, there are different, how do you say, he’s got different roles and for me the two years he’s had have been fantastic for his development, played with and against men, played in the Championship and plays now behind a team that play exciting football,” he said.
“And the stats show he’s proved worthy of a few points with his saves.
“He’s learning all the time, he’s passionate keeper, he’s developing, he’s had good coaching there – and for me, one day he’ll be England No.1 and United No.1 and he needs to keep developing.”
THINK YOU KNOW SPORT? Test your sporting knowledge with our tricky quiz
This article contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission on any sales of products or services we write about. This article was written completely independently, see more details here