Dean Henderson is currently negotiating with Manchester United over a new contract.
Sky Sports report Henderson will sign a contract worth in excess of £100,000 per week.
This is at first glance a lot of money for a player with no first team appearances for Manchester United.
It is still the right call, with Henderson a key player for United’s future.
Henderson has just completed a two year loan spell at Sheffield United, and it was a complete success.
He helped the Blades win promotion and then secure a top 10 finish in the Premier League this past season.
Best English goalkeeper?
Henderson is staking a real claim to be England’s number one. Having entered the season as a previous regular for the Three Lions’ under-21 side, he is now in contention for the senior team.
This season Henderson outperformed Everton’s Jordan Pickford and was looking like a shoe-in to be selected in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2020 squad.
He has a chance to be first choice at the 2021 tournament, and this is why he is deserving of high wages.
If Henderson played for another club and United paid a transfer fee to bring him in as De Gea’s eventual successor, not only would he cost in excess of £30 million, but he would be able to command a £100,000 per week contract.
So United have to pay him what he is worth, and he is not worth any less just because he has come through the academy and is stuck behind David de Gea.
The price of success
If United do not pay Henderson what he is worth, then he could start agitating for a move.
While United could get a decent fee for him, the team will have to go and spend that money on an alternative goalkeeper, with David de Gea seemingly on the decline.
Whoever would be brought in, would expect similar wages to what Henderson is expecting.
Henderson’s United debut is a case of when and not if. There have been calls for him to replace De Gea already.
The Times report Henderson may go out on loan again next season again, but after that, United may look for him to succeed De Gea.
When it comes to wages, Henderson’s projected £100,000-per-week is cheap in comparison to De Gea.
The Spaniard earns £375,000 per week, The Mail report. Henderson is at least deserving of a third of De Gea’s salary, it could be argued, especially considering he actually conceded fewer goals in the top flight this past season (albeit in two less games played).
If United want Henderson to be the future of the club, then £100,000 per week is the cost of that. In comparison to De Gea he is cheap, and better value for those wages.
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