Newcastle have stepped up transfer interest in a summer move for Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson, a report has claimed.

The 25-year-old showed great promise of breaking into the Old Trafford first-team, but that has now faded. In fact, he has only made three first-team appearances this term, none of which have come in the Premier League.

An injury last summer meant he had to withdraw from the England squad and upon his return to United for pre-season, the 25-year-old contracted COVID-19 and had preparations badly scuppered as a result.

Since then, David de Gea has rediscovered himself and is likely to become United’s player of the year, making Henderson’s bid to retain that number one spot unlikely.

As a result, Henderson is ready to move on from Man Utd if the right chance arrives.

What’s more, at 36 years of age, Heaton is coming towards the end of his career. De Gea, 31, also sees his contract expire in 2023 and similarly has a one-year option like Heaton.

Henderson was linked with a move to free-spending Newcastle over the winter but despite a transfer not materialising in the January window, he could now be the subject of renewed interest from Eddie Howe’s side.

However, reports states that the one-cap England star could yet get his chance under new United boss Erik ten Hag.

The Dutchman reportedly wants a goalkeeper not afraid to use his feet. And Henderson has shown he is better than De Gea in that regard.

Should Ten Hag choose to let Henderson move, though, United would have a dilemma of their own.

They would indeed need a new back-up goalkeeper. The Red Devils signed Tom Heaton from Aston Villa last summer, but he only has a maximum of two years left on his contract.

As such, amid the clamour for signings elsewhere in the team, the goalkeeper position will also prove a crucial area of the team to examine this summer.