AFC Bournemouth v Liverpool FC - Premier League
Liverpool back-up goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is set to leave Anfield (Picture: Getty)
Liverpool have agreed a deal to sell Caoimhin Kelleher for an initial £12.5m, according to reports.
Kelleher, 26, wants to become a No. 1 at a club after playing back-up to Alisson Becker throughout his career so far.
The Republic of Ireland goalkeeper made his Liverpool debut back in 2019 but has only played 67 first-team games overall due to the presence of Alisson, one of the best shot-stoppers in the world.
Kelleher did enjoy a run in Arne Slot’s team at the start of the season when Alisson was sidelined with an injury an impressed as Liverpool began to mount a successful title challenge.
His form even raised suggestions that Kelleher should retain his place in the team once Alisson returned to full fitness but, as expected, Slot went back to the Brazilian.
Get personalised updates on Chelsea every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
Kelleher was never going to accept another season on the bench and made it clear to Liverpool earlier in the year that he would be seeking a summer move to secure more game-time.
Liverpool did not want to lose arguably the best back-up goalkeeper in the Premier League but accepted his decision.
Liverpool Training Session
Kelleher has been forced to play back-up to Liverpool No. 1 Alisson Becker (Picture: Getty)
The likes of Chelsea, Tottenham and Aston Villa have been linked with moves for Kelleher and Sky Sports say Brentford have won the race to secure his signature.
It is claimed Brentford have agreed a deal with Liverpool which will cost an initial £12.5. Add-ons could take the overall figure closer to £20m.
Kelleher will become Thomas Frank’s No. 1 at Brentford after the club agreed to sell Mark Flekken to Erik ten Hag’s Bayer Leverkusen.
The Bundesliga club will pay around £11m for Netherlands international Flekken, who is set to undergo a medical in Germany.
Meanwhile, Liverpool will welcome Giorgi Mamardashvili to Anfield this summer and are planning for the Georgia international to deputise Alisson next season.
Liverpool completed a deal for Mamardashvili last summer but confirmed the 24-year-old would spend another season at Valencia before moving to Merseyside this summer.
More to follow…
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Rio Ferdinand says Matheus Cunha signing raises questions over future of Man Utd trio
MORE: Chelsea told to sign Aston Villa star and send Jadon Sancho back to Man Utd
MORE: Barcelona in talks to sign £45m Arsenal star as Hansi Flick approves transfer