Caoimhin Kelleher ‘wants to leave’ Liverpool as ‘sit-down talks’ planned
Caoimhin Kelleher will seek assurances about his role at Liverpool amid uncertainty over his future ahead of the arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili.
This is according to former Man United chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the goalkeeper will discuss his role with Arne Slot before making a final decision.
Kelleher, 25, has provided a reliable backup to Alisson in recent seasons, but Georgia international Mamardashvili’s arrival in the summer has cast doubt over his future.
A deal was agreed to sign the goalkeeper in the summer before spending the season on loan at Valencia, and his move to Anfield is set to see Kelleher pushed further down the pecking order.
As a result, the goalkeeper is expected look for a move elsewhere in search of guaranteed first-team football at the top level.
An Ireland international with 18 caps to his name, he has made 34 appearances for Liverpool since the beginning of last season and has proven himself as a more-than-capable backup.
However, he believes he is capable of becoming the first-choice elsewhere, and will leave the club if they cannot offer assurances over his playing time.
Caoimhin Kelleher set for Arne Slot talks over Liverpool future
Football Insider revealed that clubs would have to pay £25-30million to land the 25-year-old amid interest from Celtic.
Now, Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment and has worked closely with players and agents in the past, has insisted the goalkeeper could force the move through if he feels his career will be better off elsewhere.
“With Mamardashvili coming back from loan, it leads to questions,” he told Football Insider.
“From what I’ve seen of Kelleher, I watched him a few times last year, he strikes me of being more than capable of becoming a first-choice goalkeeper.
“He’s taken his opportunity at Liverpool to the point he could even challenge Alisson.
“But I don’t think he’s happy being the backup, and especially not if the new arrival is ahead of him.
“If that’s going to be the case, I fully expect him to move on and become the first-choice somewhere else.
“He’s definitely got the ability to do that and he continues to prove himself at this level.
“So it’s a decision Liverpool will have to make in terms of who they prioritise.
“From what I’ve heard, I expect he’ll sit down with Slot at some stage to discuss what his role is going to be, and then that’ll influence whether he stays or leaves.
“If they can’t offer him assurances, it wouldn’t surprise me if wants to leave and could push for Liverpool to let him go.”
In other news, Man United and Liverpool race to sign Antonee Robinson.
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