Blow for Tottenham in their pursuit of Manchester United ‘keeper

Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to get back to winning ways when they face high-flying Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday. 

The Lilywhites have drawn their last two matches against struggling sides Southampton and Everton, although they do still occupy fourth place in the Premier League table.

Spurs could drop out of the top four if Manchester United beat Brentford on Wednesday, though.

Now, it appears that Spurs have already been dealt a blow in their pursuit of a Red Devils player.

According to Football Insider, Tottenham are no longer winning the race for United goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

The 26-year-old, who is currently on loan at fellow Premier League side Nottingham Forest, has been heavily linked with a number of clubs ahead of the transfer window reopening this summer.

Henderson looks unlikely to stay put at Old Trafford once he returns to United this summer, although Spurs’ efforts to land the ‘keeper have been hampered by the ongoing chaos at the north London club.

Those in charge of Spurs are yet to appoint a successor to Antonio Conte who was sacked last week, and managing director Fabio Paratici has now been handed a worldwide ban from involvement in football.

Henderson is a target for Spurs this summer

According to the report, the uncertainty surrounding the club has put a number of targets off of joining Spurs.

Henderson has made 20 appearances across all competitions for Forest so far this term, although he appears to have lost his starting spot since the shock arrival of Kaylor Navas in January.

The one-time England international has previously spent time on loan with a number of clubs including Grimsby Town and Shrewsbury Town, but it was a loan spell at Sheffield United between 2018-2020 saw him establish himself as a Premier League standard ‘keeper.

Towards the end of the 2020/21 campaign, Henderson established himself as Man United’s first choice, overtaking David de Gea in the pecking order.

He was due to be part of England’s squad for Euro 2020 that summer, before injury forced him to withdraw.

The player didn’t make a single Premier League appearance for United last term and was therefore sent out on loan last summer.

Spurs are on the hunt for a new goalkeeper as they look to source Hugo Lloris’ long-term successor, although Aston Villa could reportedly compete for Henderson’s signature.

The Frenchman has been criticised for his inconsistency in recent seasons, and looks increasingly likely to depart the club this summer.