Nottingham Forest pushing for major Dean Henderson breakthrough over Man Utd loan transfer

Nottingham Forest are pushing for a breakthrough in their bid to sign Dean Henderson.

Forest are hopeful of bringing in the Manchester United goalkeeper on loan but are keen to include an option to buy Henderson at the end of the season in any deal.

The fee would reportedly be £20m but United had baulked over such a clause and were keen on a straight loan. Nottinghamshire Live understands an option to buy the England international is now back on the negotiating table though as talks continue, suggesting the Premier League giants could shift their position.

Henderson, who is second choice to David de Gea at Old Trafford, excelled on loan in the Premier League with Sheffield United, with Gareth Southgate handing him what is so far his only cap against the Republic of Ireland.

If a deal goes through, Henderson would replace promotion hero Brice Samba in goal. Samba has been offered a new contract but talks have stalled and the former Caen man is said to be keen to return to France this summer rather than see out the final year of his deal.

He has been strongly linked with a move to Lens. A report in The Sun this morning said Samba had been offered a new deal on the same terms, but Nottinghamshire Live understands there is frustration over the report at Forest.

It is understood a second aspect of the report saying the Reds will pay Henderson's salary, which is claimed to be £100,000-plus per week, in full is wide of the mark.