New Liverpool exit route OPENS for Caoimhin Kelleher

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has been earmarked for a summer transfer. Out of contract in 2026, the Ireland international has designs on becoming a No1 in his own right.

With Alisson Becker under contract at Anfield until 2027 - and Giorgi Mamardashvili in the summer on a permanent deal - the prospect of that happening at Anfield are diminishing rapidly.

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Sporting director Richard Hughes and head coach Arne Slot would have been content to let the 26-year-old leave last summer if their asking price had been met.

It was reported that the club were looking for around £30 million to part with Kelleher but interested parties - said to include Nottingham Forest - failed to stump up the cash.

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Now Kelleher is one year closer to expiry and the chances of him signing a new contract remain slim. That means Liverpool will have to compromise on the fee if they sell him this summer and Kelleher is certainly not short of suitors.

Kelleher has PLENTY of interest

It’s been another frustrating campaign in the shadow of Alisson but Kelleher has certainly made his mark when given the chance.

He saved a penalty from Kylian Mbappe against Real Madrid in a Champions League victory at Anfield and has played eight times in the Premier League - helping Liverpool to get and stay top of the league table.

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Accordingly Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle have all been associated with a move for the Corkonian. However, an intriguing exit route overseas may well have now opened up.

Could Leverkusen sign Kelleher?

“Bayer Leverkusen have decided to sign a new goalkeeper in the summer transfer window,” transfer guru Fabrizio Romano wrote on X.

“The plan is already clear with contacts starting to explore opportunities for the upcoming months.”

Captain Lukas Hradecky, 35, is expected to be replaced as the club’s No1 in summer. The Finland international hasn’t been at his best this term for Xabi Alonso’s side and is set to be demoted to second-choice once a new first-team star is signed.

And why couldn’t it be Kelleher? A deal between the two clubs for Tyler Morton fell through last summer while Liverpool retain an interest in several Leverkusen stars - including Piero Hincapie, Jeremie Frimpong, Jonathan Tah and Florian Wirtz.

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Maybe a sizeable deal could satisfy all parties; Alonso gets his new No1, Kelleher gets first-team football at a Champions League club and Liverpool get some money in - which could used on any deal seeing players coming the other way.

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