Liverpool have reportedly accepted that goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher will leave in the summer transfer window and are said to be willing to do business for a fee of £30-40m.
Kelleher has featured 17 times for the Merseysiders in 2024-25, with his most recent appearance coming in a 1-0 defeat against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup on February 9.
The Irishman has regularly started between the posts in the EFL Cup and FA Cup and even started in finals of the former competition against Chelsea in 2022 and 2024, winning both times.
However, the Reds goalkeeper will have just a year left on his contract come June, and it appears that Alisson Becker is unlikely to be displaced as Arne Slot's number one, while Giorgi Mamardashvili is almost certain to become Slot's number two in 2025-26.
Football Insider claims that Liverpool will agree to part company with Kelleher in the summer should they receive a fee in the region of £30-40m.
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Who should sign Kelleher?
Kelleher is adept at playing out from the back with either foot and has caught the eye at Liverpool for his sharp reflexes which have kept opponents at bay on more than one occasion.
Former Premier League goalkeeper Michel Vorm heaped praise on Kelleher for his performances during his time at Anfield when speaking exclusively to Sports Mole, but he also queried whether the 26-year-old could handle the pressure of playing regularly for one of the Premier League's elite.
Against Newcastle United on December 4 when Slot's side drew 3-3 with the Magpies, Kelleher failed to come for a delivery in the box in the final stages and allowed Fabian Schar to equalise, costing his team two points.
Fans of both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have criticised the displays of their goalkeepers, with Robert Sanchez, Guglielmo Vicario and Fraser Forster all making mistakes this campaign.
While it is difficult to say whether Kelleher would be able to cope with the demands of playing in goal for one of the Premier League's elite, there is no doubt that he is too good for Liverpool's bench.
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A busy summer for Liverpool
Kelleher's sale could be vital for Liverpool in the summer considering they may have to spend significantly to replace a number of players in their squad.
Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah are all out of contract at the end of the season, and losing any of the trio would represent a huge blow for Slot given they are arguably among the best players in the world in their respective positions.
Elsewhere, forwards Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz have been linked with moves away from the club, with the former strongly touted as a target for clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
Though signing a replacement for Kelleher may not be necessary considering Mamardashvili is set to arrive in the summer, the next transfer window is certain to be one of sizeable change on Merseyside.
Lewis Nolan
