Kelleher open to Liverpool exit as £20m+ valuation draws Brentford interest | OneFootball

Liverpool have set a price tag of more than £20 million for Caoimhin Kelleher, with Brentford among the Premier League clubs weighing up a move for the goalkeeper this summer.

Kelleher, who turned 26 earlier this season, is open to leaving in search of regular first-team football after several years as Alisson Becker’s understudy.

The Irish international has one year left on his contract and has made 67 appearances for the club, including 20 this season under Arne Slot, who took charge at the start of the 2024/25 campaign.

Kelleher started in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final loss against Newcastle in March and filled in during key periods of the season when Alisson was sidelined through injury.

He recorded nine clean sheets in his 20 appearances and played a key role in Liverpool’s title-winning campaign, including 10 games in the league.

Despite his reliability, Liverpool are preparing for life without him.

Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili will arrive this summer in a £29 million deal agreed last year, providing further competition for Alisson and making Kelleher’s departure more likely.

Brentford have contacted Liverpool as they consider their options in goal, with current first-choice plans to Mark Flekken expected to move on.

Flekken has attracted interest from Anderlecht and could join them in Belgium.

Brentford are not alone in their pursuit, however.

West Ham United and Leeds United have also shown interest in Kelleher, who was recently nominated for the FAI’s men’s International Player of the Year award.

Liverpool remain firm on their valuation and will not allow Kelleher to leave unless that figure is met.

While Slot would prefer to keep one of the league’s most dependable backup goalkeepers, the club understands Kelleher’s ambition to become a number one elsewhere.

The goalkeeper announced after Liverpool’s latest trophy lift that he feels ready for regular football and is actively seeking a new challenge.

He said he was “lucky” to play as many games as he did this season, but added that consistent playtime was now his priority.

A summer move appears to suit all parties.

Liverpool get a fee for a long-serving player, and Kelleher finally gets to step up to take centre stage.

Whether that next chapter begins at Brentford or elsewhere, it now seems a matter of when and not if.