Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has reportedly attracted interest from Chelsea and Newcastle United ahead of the summer transfer window.
The 26-year-old featured for the Reds on Sunday afternoon, when a sole Ryan Hardie penalty fired Championship Plymouth Argyle into the fifth round of the FA Cup at the expense of the top-flight leaders.
Apart from a handful of cup appearances, Kelleher has been reliant on injuries to Alisson Becker in order to make first-team starts this term.
The Republic of Ireland international has started eight Premier League contests for Arne Slot's men, keeping three clean sheets and saving a single penalty.
Kelleher has spent the entirety of his senior career at Anfield but has been limited to just 64 appearances by the prominence of first-choice keeper Alisson.
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Chelsea, Newcastle to battle for Liverpool's Kelleher?
According to Football Insider, a pair of Premier League clubs are looking to seal the signature of Liverpool man Kelleher during the summer window.
The report claims that Enzo Maresca's Chelsea have been joined by top-flight contenders Newcastle in the race for the 20-time international.
It is understood that the West London Blues were targeting the recruitment of a shot-stopper in January but failed to identify an appropriate player.
With his Liverpool contract due to expire during the summer of 2026, Kelleher is supposedly refusing to sign an extension, with regular football on his mind.
Newcastle have swapped between Martin Dubravka and Nick Pope in net this season, with the former's deal at St James' Park ending at the conclusion of the campaign.
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Caoimhin's career choice
As shown by his heroics during Liverpool's EFL Cup triumphs of 2021-22 and 2023-24 under Jurgen Klopp, Kelleher is undoubtedly good enough to regularly feature at the top level of English football.
At 26 years of age, the goalkeeper will be wary that he is in danger of wasting vital years of his career by sitting behind Alisson in the Reds pecking order.
Therefore, a potential move to St James' Park or Stamford Bridge represents an exciting prospect for Kelleher, who is already established as first choice on the international scene.
Carter White
