Crystal Palace in talks with Dean Henderson over new contract
Crystal Palace are in discussions with goalkeeper Dean Henderson over a new contract.
Henderson, who is currently out with an ankle injury that he has been managing since Palace’s final pre-season friendly, has two years remaining on his existing deal.
That five-year contract has been in place since he joined for £20million from Manchester United in 2023, but sources with knowledge of the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, said Palace are working to tie him to fresh terms.
The 29-year-old has become an integral part of the side and one of Palace’s most important players since displacing Sam Johnstone as No 1, with Johnstone going on to join Wolverhampton Wanderers for £10m two years ago.
He is expected to return from injury after the international break in time to face Nottingham Forest, who saw an approach to sign him rebuffed by Palace during the summer transfer window.
After the sale of Marc Guehi to Manchester City in January, Henderson was named club captain.
‘Henderson offers Palace leadership and stability’
Securing a new deal for Henderson would be excellent news for Palace. He is firmly their first choice goalkeeper, and one of their most important players.
His FA Cup final penalty save from Omar Marmoush will live long in the memory but it is his current performances, including in the 3-2 win over Fulham last week that are crucial.
He was instrumental in securing a first three points for new manager Pierre Sage in west London, making several excellent saves.
In a team which otherwise appears to lack leaders, strong personality and characters, Henderson brings that with a self confidence and assuredness. His familiarity and relative longevity with the club is also a bonus.
Keeping him around for longer will help provide stability and leave Palace not having to worry about the possibility of replacing a key player in an important position.
Meanwhile, last week Sage was hoping that Ismaila Sarr would return to training on Monday. Sarr’s return to the squad will be interesting to monitor. Palace fans are unhappy that he wanted to leave and by his absence from training, with Sage saying in his press conference before the win over Fulham that the Senegal international would “need time” to “digest” Palace’s refusal to sanction a transfer over the summer.
But, as with Jean-Philippe Mateta, there may be an element of being able to forgive and forget if he continues the form that saw him earn the club’s player of the year award last season.
With the transfer window closed, can Sarr focus on playing and put this behind him, even just temporarily? Despite Palace’s five goals in their past two games, he is still missed.