Newcastle: £16.2m star emerges as 'frontrunner' on Magpies' signings hitlist

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe is keen to welcome Manchester United ace Dean Henderson to St James’ Park and make the goalkeeper his first choice option between the sticks, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Henderson has found himself behind David de Gea in the Red Devils’ shot-stopping pecking order and been restricted to just 278 minutes of first-team action since the season got underway.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed Henderson has remained on Newcastle’s three-man shortlist of goalkeeping targets despite missing out on his services during the January window.

Romero claims Manchester United will make a decision on whether to sell the £16.2million-rated ace or loan him out during the summer, with Henderson desperate to secure more game-time after growing frustrated at Old Trafford.

Ralf Rangnick, who was appointed as the Red Devils’ interim manager last November, has described Henderson as ‘fantastic’ and was not willing to sanction the 25-year-old’s departure midway through the campaign.

Newcastle have not been the only side tracking the one-cap England international in recent months as Southampton and Dutch giants Ajax were also linked with making a move during the winter window.

Henderson’s £120,000-per-week contract does not expire until the summer of 2025, so Manchester United are in a strong negotiating position ahead of the summer.

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Jones believes Henderson is at the top of Newcastle head coach Howe’s list of priority signings heading into the upcoming window.

The transfer insider understands the Magpies have been keen to welcome the shot-stopper to St James’ Park for a prolonged period