Liverpool risk losing out on £19m transfer as Bournemouth have change of heart

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is a busy man ahead of the summer transfer window opening.

It’s no secret that the Reds will need to add new players in the upcoming window, with several gaps now appearing in Arne Slot’s squad.

Liverpool Transfer News: Harry Kane wants to join as Reds in race to complete transfer Slot is DESPERATE for

The club want to add a centre forward and a midfielder, while replacements for Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk will need to be considered if no deals are agreed for new contracts.

Liverpool were expected to spend BIG this summer but under Fenway Sports Group ownership, the club have had to break even across transfer windows.

Last summer for example, the outlays for Giorgi Mamardashvili and Federico Chiesa were covered by the departures of Sepp van den Berg, Fabio Carvalho and Bobby Clark.

This year, Slot and Hughes could well be relying on sales in order to drum up enough funds for a transfer spending spree.

Bournemouth move on from Kelleher

One player under consideration for a sale will be Caoimhin Kelleher.

The 26-year-old goalkeeper will soon be entering the final year of his contract and will be behind both Alisson Becker and Mamardashvili in the pecking order if he stays.

Stop EVERYTHING: Harry Kane wants to join Liverpool

The Ireland international has ambitions to become a No1 goalkeeper in his own right and one club linked with his signature have been Bournemouth.

However, that avenue looks set to be closed off to Kelleher as a result of recent developments.

With the Irishman valued between €18.8 million and €22.9m (£15.7m and £19m), Liverpool’s summer spending plans could be under threat with Bournemouth off the table.

Bournemouth want Kepa instead

That’s because according to the Daily Telegraph the South Coast club intend to make Kepa Arrizabalaga’s loan deal from Chelsea permanent.

“Bournemouth are looking into turning Kepa Arrizabalaga’s loan into a permanent deal from Chelsea as they assess their No 1 options in a hectic summer of goalkeeper activity in the transfer market,” the report states.

The Spaniard has been in decent form for the Cherries this term and Andoni Iraoloa is reportedly happy with his first-choice in goal.

The report also explicitly mentions Bournemouth’s chase for Kelleher. “Bournemouth have been linked with him, although Kepa is firmly in their sights if a deal can be agreed,” it states.

READ MORE: Mo Salah is about to say YES to new Liverpool contract

Liverpool better hope that other suitors come forward for Kelleher, otherwise they will be stuck with an unhappy goalkeeper on a dwindling contract, who they risk losing for free in 2026.