Derby County look set to lose one of their promising strikers in the academy who scored a remarkable 45 goals this season
A general view of the ground during the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County and Coventry City at Pride Park in Derby, England, on March 11, 2025. (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
A general view of the ground during the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County and Coventry City at Pride Park in Derby, England, on March 11, 2025. (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Pride Park
Derby County are set to receive a significant compensation fee for teenage striker Blake Henry with the forward set to join Manchester United.
Derbyshire Live understands the club has worked incredibly hard in a bid to tie Henry down to a new contract over the last 18 months after his impressive performances in the academy.
The 14-year-old, who scored a remarkable 45 goals this season, was one of the youngest ever players to feature for the under-18s which underlined their commitment to put him on the pathway to the first team.
But the forward has exercised his right to leave the club despite Derby's repeated attempts to keep him although the club will be entitled to significant compensation.
That figure will be determined on the player's age, how long he spent at the academy, the category of the club signing him plus development and training costs.
If no agreement can be reached with United then it will go to a Professional Football Compensation Committee tribunal which will determine the outcome.
Henry's international status will also be considered with the forward having already represented England at under-15s.
United have been scouting young forwards across the country with Henry amassing a reputation as one of the country's finest for his age group.
When he was 13, he became the second youngest player in Derby's history to be offered a scholarship.
He has already signed a deal with Adidas in recognition of his ability while Manchester City have also monitored his development.
However, it is United who look set to beat their city rivals to his signature.
Derby Telegraph's Derby County writer, Leigh Curtis
Derby Telegraph's Derby County writer, Leigh Curtis
The transfer window is now open, the signings are being linked and players could be heading for the exit door at Pride Park as it promises to be a pre-season of change at the club.
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Every day, the DerbyshireLive football desk strives to deliver all manner of news, features and transfer-related stories as a part of our overall package of Derby County content.
Our dedicated reporter Leigh Curtis - who you can follow on X by clicking here - follows the Rams home and away and offers you comprehensive coverage from matchdays, press conferences and everything that happens in between.
So much happens day to day and sometimes you can struggle to keep on top of the very latest updates as and when they occur - that's why we have produced a daily newsletter which you can sign up to, for free, and which means you'll have a round-up of the key stories land in your email inbox. Sign up to the Derby newsletter here.
You can also get all your favourite content from DerbyshireLive's Rams team on WhatsApp. Click here to sign up for breaking updates about the biggest stories in and around the club.
If you prefer reading our Rams stories on your phone, consider downloading the DerbyshireLive app, in which you can personalise the content you see by selecting Derby County as one of your designated topics. You can get it from Apple here and for Android here.