Celtic would have to pay a Scottish record transfer fee if they want to lure Caoimhin Kelleher away from Liverpool, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that Liverpool’s £25-30million asking price for the 25-year-old would likely be ‘too expensive’ for Celtic.
Kelleher is expected to leave in the near future, with Celtic eager to sign the Republic of Ireland international, though a move appears highly unlikely at the current price.
The goalkeeper expressed a desire to leave Anfield over the summer, aiming for more first-team opportunities, which have been limited with Alisson Becker as the club’s first-choice.
Liverpool’s signing of Georgia international Giorgi Mamardashvili in the summer transfer window is expected to push Kelleher further down the pecking order once Mamardashvili returns from loan at the end of the season.
Celtic priced out of deal for Liverpool shot-stopper Caoimhin Kelleher
Brendan Rodgers’ side brought in veteran ‘keeper Kasper Schmeichel to replace Joe Hart in the summer after the former England international’s retirement.
He has since played every minute for Celtic so far this season, keeping eight clean sheets and conceding just three goals in the Scottish Premier League.
Kelleher has found himself temporarily thrust into the fold yet again after Alisson picked up a hamstring injury in their 1-0 Premier League win over Crystal Palace earlier in the season.
Since breaking into the first team back in 2018, Kelleher has made just 52 appearances for his boyhood club across all competitions.