Liverpool look set for a fair amount of turn over in the goalkeeping department this summer.
The Reds have been settled for the past five years or so, with Alisson Becker served by a good cast of back-ups.
Chief among them has been Caoimhin Kelleher. The Irishman took his game to another level this season, playing 26 times and really impressing.
That good form signalled the fact that he is ready to be a first-choice goalkeeper somewhere, though. As Kelleher said himself, he wants to be playing regularly. And that’s fair enough.
But Liverpool will want to be compensated fairly for Kelleher’s departure. Arne Slot won’t allow his No.2 to walk out of the door on the cheap. Thankfully, the Reds seemingly aren’t short of interest.
Celtic hoping to strike Caoimhin Kelleher deal
It seems that Liverpool could be set for a good windfall where Kelleher is concerned. As a graduate of the Liverpool academy, any sale of the goalie would represent pure profit.
It has been claimed that the Reds will be looking for around £20m to sell Kelleher. Given his profile, we’d say that seems like fair value. However, not everyone will see things the same way.
One of the clubs currently said to be in for Kelleher are Scottish champions Celtic. The Hoops are on the lookout for a new ‘keeper, with Joe Hart retiring at the end of the season.
And according to TeamTALK, they have set their eyes on Kelleher as the ideal replacement for Hart.
Unfortunately for Celtic though, Kelleher’s £20m asking price would represent their highest ever transfer fee. Although the Ireland international would reportedly be keen on the move, they can’t afford him.
The Bhoys are claimed to have told Liverpool that they’ll only go up to £10m for Kelleher. Unless they up their offer, it seems they’ll have to look elsewhere.
One club who would be fine to pay what the Reds are looking for is Wolves. Gary O’Neil is claimed to be looking for a new No.1 this summer and would reportedly have ‘no issues’ in paying the money for Kelleher.
Liverpool cooking up Celtic loan plan?
Without the necessary means to pay for Kelleher outright, there is a chance that Liverpool could come to a different kind of agreement.
As journalist Graeme Bailey told Rousing The Kop recently, the Reds could do something slightly outside of the box with their No.2.
Bailey suggested that Liverpool could effectively park Kelleher on-loan in Glasgow with a view to returning and being first-choice at Anfield.
The loan could potentially be for a year, two or three in something similar to what Chelsea did with Thibaut Courtois and Atletico Madrid.
That would allow Kelleher the game time he’s looking for, while also leaving the door open to him one day taking over from Alisson.
In that scenario, perhaps a loan fee would be needed from Celtic, but likely nothing quite as steep as the £20m they’d have to pay for a permanent transfer. Let’s see if anything can be worked out. If not, Wolves may beckon for Caoimhin.