Nottingham Forest have had the door opened to sign Dean Henderson thanks to Newcastle United's transfer activity.
The Magpies have all-but confirmed the signing of Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope having booked the 30-year-old in for a medical on Thursday (June 23). Forest themselves had been linked with a move for Pope after Brice Samba surprisingly declared his intention to depart the City Ground after rejecting a new deal.
Steve Cooper is now focusing his efforts on signing Manchester United goalkeeper Henderson and he could become one of their first signings of the summer, alongside Union Berlin forward Taiwo Aweniyi who underwent a medical on June 23.
READ: Man United grant Nottingham Forest their £20m transfer wish as deal 'agreed'
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Henderson was also a target for Eddie Howe and Newcastle United, but Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has explained the reasons why the Magpies dropped their interest in Henderson in favour of Pope.
"I think they looked at Dean Henderson in January and this summer. When they put the numbers together, they crunched the numbers and they felt they were better for Pope.
"The financials involved for the Henderson deal would have been far more difficult for Newcastle to do. They have other areas of the squad to take into consideration too.
"They juggled the three names but they definitely took the financial aspect into consideration."
Henderson made just three appearances for United last term as he filled the back-up role for David de Gea at Old Trafford. He made no outings in the Premier League as cameos were provided to him in cup competitions.
One key detail has been the inclusion of an option for Forest to buy Henderson from Man United at the end of this season should a loan spell prove successful. According to the Daily Mail, the Reds have got their way and will be able to make the move permanent for £20million next summer.
Should Henderson complete his transfer to the City Ground, he could be in line to feature against Newcastle in the Reds' opening day Premier League clash at St James' Park on August 5.
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