Chelsea and Tottenham miss out as Liverpool agree deal to sell Caoimhin Kelleher

Liverpool have reportedly reached an agreement to transfer goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher in a deal valued at £12.5 million initially.

The 26-year-old has long been vocal about his desire to secure regular first-team football after spending years as Alisson Becker’s understudy at Anfield. Despite making his senior debut in 2019, Kelleher has featured in just 67 matches due to the Brazilian’s dominance in goal.

Earlier this season, Kelleher enjoyed a consistent spell in the starting lineup while Alisson was sidelined by injury. His performances drew praise and even sparked debate among fans and pundits about whether he should retain the starting role upon Alisson’s return.

Ultimately, Liverpool manager Arne Slot reinstated Alisson once he was fit, returning Kelleher to the bench.

Determined to move on in search of more opportunities, Kelleher informed the club of his intentions earlier in the year. While Liverpool were reluctant to lose a goalkeeper widely considered one of the Premier League’s top backups, they chose to respect his ambitions.

Brentford appear to have beaten out competition from Chelsea, Tottenham, and Aston Villa to land the Irish international. According to Sky Sports, the west London side will pay an initial £12.5 million, with performance-related add-ons potentially pushing the total fee closer to £20 million.

Kelleher is expected to replace Mark Flekken as the Bees’ new No. 1, with Flekken set for a move to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth around £11 million. Flekken is scheduled for a medical in Germany ahead of finalizing the transfer.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are preparing to welcome Georgian shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili to the club.

The Reds agreed to sign the 24-year-old last summer, allowing him to remain at Valencia for another season before his planned move to Merseyside. Mamardashvili is expected to take over as Alisson’s primary deputy.

Ireland national team manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has been vocal in supporting Kelleher’s decision to move on, insisting the goalkeeper deserves regular football at a high level.

Hallgrimsson highlighted Kelleher’s performances in both the Champions League and Premier League, describing him as too talented to continue sitting on the bench. His wish is simple: for Kelleher to be happy and playing consistently at a top club.

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