The saga over Dean Henderson’s future shows no sign of ending amid reports of a hold-up in a possible move to Nottingham Forest.

Manchester United’s Cumbrian goalkeeper has long been linked with a permanent switch back to the club where he spent the 2022/23 season on loan.

Forest are keen to secure the 26-year-old Whitehaven star ahead of other potential suitors this summer.

But the signs are that things will not be resolved in the immediate future.

Fresh reports say Man Utd are reluctant to allow Henderson to leave until there is a breakthrough in talks with first-choice No1 David De Gea.

The Red Devils said that “discussions were ongoing” with the Spaniard when they announced their retained list last week.

Football Insider have reported that De Gea is delaying a decision on his own future until the situation becomes clearer on who else Man Utd could bring in to compete in the goalkeeping department.

The Manchester Evening News have claimed Man Utd are now intent on signing a new first-choice keeper.

That could influence De Gea’s decision on whether to extend his stay at Old Trafford.

The uncertainty could leave Henderson biding his time to secure his own long-term fate.

And it also looks set to keep Carlisle United waiting for any potential windfall from a big-money transfer.

A sell-on clause, following Henderson’s move from the Blues’ academy to Man Utd back in 2011, leaves the Cumbrians on alert for transfer proceeds.

Henderson has also been linked with clubs such as Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.

A potential fee of £30m has been mentioned in connection with his potential permanent switch to Forest.

Henderson returned to first-choice Premier League action at the City Ground last season and also secured an England squad recall.

A thigh injury curtailed his season in the new year but, after surgery, the Cumbrian is expected to be back for pre-season.

Henderson is not the only Cumbrian at the centre of transfer speculation, with West Ham United having been linked with Everton’s ex-Blues star Jarrad Branthwaite.

The defender is currently with England’s Under-21s for the European Championship.