Caoimhin Kelleher is set to leave Liverpool in the summer transfer window in search of regular first-team football, but the Irish goalkeeper's destination remains uncertain
West Ham are keen to sign Caoimhin Kelleher in the summer transfer window, but there is likely to be plenty of competition for the Liverpool goalkeeper. Kelleher has impressed when given opportunities by Arne Slot this season yet remains behind Alisson Becker in the pecking order and is keen to secure regular first-team football.
The Republic of Ireland international has kept nine clean sheets in 20 appearances across this season. He has proven himself but knows he isn’t going to displace Alisson, who once again showed his importance to Liverpool in their 2-1 win over West Ham on Sunday.
In fact, he would probably go down a place in the goalkeeper standings if he stayed at Liverpool for another season, with Giorgi Mamardashvili set to arrive from Valencia. The Georgian keeper was signed last summer before being loaned back to the Spanish side for the 2024/25 season and will expect to be involved when he arrives.
Kelleher made no secret of the fact he was keen to join Nottingham Forest in the summer, but they did not meet Liverpool’s £35million valuation. He is certain to attract fresh interest when the transfer window opens once more on June 1, with The Sun reporting that the Hammers are keen to land him.
While West Ham would prefer to sign him on loan, Kelleher is reportedly valued at £20m by Liverpool, who want a permanent deal and won’t stand in his way if their asking price is met. While Forest have since settled on Matz Sels, Chelsea have also previously been linked with Kelleher, with Robert Sanchez unconvincing as No.1.
The 26-year-old isn’t the only goalkeeper who will be on the market this summer, with Aaron Ramsdale poised to leave Southampton after their relegation to the Championship. The former Arsenal keeper, who saved two penalties from Marco Asensio in a 3-0 defeat by Aston Villa on Saturday, would also cost £20m.
West Ham currently have Alphonse Areola as their first choice in goal, but the Frenchman has kept just four clean sheets in 21 league games and isn’t well suited to Graham Potter’s playing style. Kelleher, meanwhile, is ready to move on and prove himself week in, week out.
“Obviously my intention is to do as well as I can and show my ability,” he explained earlier this season. “That is where my head is at with the situation. The best thing I can do is go and play well and maybe give the manager something to think about, give him a headache.
“But it does work both ways. I played so many times last season – and if you do well your valuation goes up because obviously the club is going to want a good profit. I was clear (in the summer) that I wanted to play first-team football, whether that was here or elsewhere. I wanted to be a No.1.
“That was my thought process – but it’s always been my thought process because obviously I am a football player and like every player, I want to play. I’m not going to enjoy myself or be happy sitting on the bench.”
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