‘Giorgi Mamardashvili goes straight in at Liverpool as Kelleher heads out’
Caoimhin Kelleher has been subject to speculation about his future at Liverpool ahead of the imminent arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili.
The Georgia international goalkeeper was signed last summer, but spent the season on loan at Valencia while Kelleher rivalled Alisson for the number-one spot at Anfield.
Kelleher, 26, has once again proved himself to be a top-class option and has made 20 appearances this season while Alisson has missed large periods through injury.
However, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider that the Ireland international will now be allowed to leave Liverpool.
In his place, Mamardashvili will take on the second-choice goalkeeper role as Arne Slot sees him as the long-term successor to Alisson.
This comes after Football Insider revealed in November that Kelleher wants to leave Liverpool in search of first-team football in the summer transfer window.
Caoimhin Kelleher to leave Liverpool after ‘£30-40m’ twist
A number of Premier League sides including Chelsea, Newcastle, Bournemouth and Leeds have all been keeping an eye on the goalkeeper’s situation.
Football Insider revealed that Newcastle and Chelsea have joined overseas clubs in the race to sign Kelleher, who will have just 12 months left on his contract in June.
As a result, Football Insider revealed on 14 February that Liverpool will listen to offers for Kelleher if they meet their £30-40million valuation.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Robinson explained that Mamardashvili’s arrival will allow the 26-year-old to leave Anfield after proving he is good enough to be the first choice elsewhere.
“There’s no chance he [Mamardashvili] gets the number-one spot,” he told Football Insider.
“He goes in as a number two and Kelleher will move on.
“It’s time for Kelleher and his career now to move on and become the number one elsewhere.
“He’s proved that he can do it at the top level.
“Liverpool clearly don’t see him as the natural successor to Alisson, which is why they signed Mamardashvili.
“Mamardashvili has been out on loan this season, but he will go to Liverpool next season and be Kelleher’s replacement.“
Darwin Nunez deciding between Saudi and Spain after Anfield exit
As part of Liverpool’s busy plans for the summer transfer window, Kelleher is not the only player who could be allowed to leave Anfield for good.
Football Insider revealed on 11 May that Darwin Nunez looks certain to leave Liverpool and will choose between the Saudi Pro League and La Liga for his destination.
This comes after the forward was denied a big-money move to Al-Hilal in the January transfer window as Slot planned to keep his first-team squad together.
More recently, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider in March that Atletico Madrid have joined the race for Nunez.
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