Kelleher Nears Brentford Move in £18M Deal

Kelleher Set for Brentford Switch in £18M Deal

Liverpool's long-serving backup goalkeeper, Caoimhin Kelleher, is reportedly on the verge of a move to Brentford in a deal that could be worth up to £18 million. This transfer marks a significant step for the Irish international, who is seeking more regular first-team action.

The Deal Details

Kelleher is expected to undergo a medical at Brentford on Monday.
The initial fee for the transfer is reported to be £12.5 million.
Performance-related add-ons could increase the total value of the deal to £18 million.

Brentford's Goalkeeping Shake-Up

Brentford's acquisition of Kelleher comes as their current first-choice goalkeeper, Mark Flekken, is also set for a move. Flekken is reportedly heading to Bayer Leverkusen in an £11 million deal, creating the vacancy Kelleher is set to fill.

Flekken is expected to complete his medical at Bayer Leverkusen soon.
He has agreed to a contract with Leverkusen until 2028.

A Long-Standing Interest

Brentford has had a long-standing interest in Kelleher, even before they signed Flekken. Liverpool, however, was only willing to consider selling Kelleher after securing Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia last summer, ensuring they had a suitable replacement for Alisson Becker.

Competition and Relationships

Brentford faced competition for Kelleher's signature from other clubs, including Leeds and West Ham. However, the Bees' strong relationship with Liverpool, evidenced by previous transfers like Sepp van den Berg and Fabio Carvalho, likely played a role in securing the deal.

A Shrewd Business Move

From Brentford's perspective, this transfer is seen as a shrewd piece of business. They are replacing a 31-year-old goalkeeper with a 26-year-old from a top Premier League club for an initial net outlay of just £1.5 million.

Kelleher's Desire for Regular Play

Kelleher's move is driven by his desire for more consistent playing time. Despite being Alisson Becker's understudy, he played a crucial role in Liverpool's title success, featuring 10 times in the Premier League last season. Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson has openly advocated for Kelleher to seek a club where he can be a regular starter.

Kelleher made 10 Premier League appearances for Liverpool last season.
He finished among the top goalkeepers for save percentage and passes completed.
His playing style, particularly his passing ability, aligns well with Brentford's tactical approach.

Other Brentford Business

Brentford has been active in the transfer market, already confirming the permanent signing of Michael Kayode on a five-year deal after an initial loan spell.