Liverpool turned down a £15 million offer from Premier League side Nottingham Forest for goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher in the January transfer window, according to Daily Mail.
The newspaper states that the Reds swiftly dismissed Forest’s offer, emphasising their reluctance to part ways with the 25-year-old, who has served as a backup to Alisson Becker and is highly regarded by the club.
Despite rumours placing Kelleher’s value above £20 million, Liverpool view him as indispensable, especially as they contend for trophies on multiple fronts this season.
Liverpool did acknowledge the transfer of James Trafford from Manchester City to Burnley for £19 million.
However, the club see Kelleher, a product of their academy, as being at a more advanced stage of development with greater potential.
The Irish goalkeeper brings valuable European experience and has represented his country at the full international level.
Wolves had shown interest in Kelleher last summer as a potential replacement for Jose Sa, amid Nottingham Forest’s pursuit of the Portuguese goalkeeper.
Despite being valued around £20 million last summer and expressing a desire for regular playing time, Kelleher stayed at Anfield, where manager Jurgen Klopp frequently utilises him in cup competitions.
In 2022, he played a crucial role in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup victory over Chelsea at Wembley Stadium, clinching the decisive penalty in their 11-10 shootout win over the Blues.
Despite limited opportunities for first-team football, Klopp downplayed talks of Kelleher leaving last summer, stating in a press conference, “I can’t see… honestly, I can’t see Caoimh leaving. It must be an extraordinary offer that I start thinking, I have to say.”
This season, Kelleher has made 12 appearances for Liverpool, serving as the club’s No.1 goalkeeper in both the Carabao Cup and the UEFA Europa League.
Reports suggest that Liverpool are eyeing Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson as a potential replacement for Kelleher if he decides to move on at the end of the campaign.
He currently has two years left on his contract with the Reds, having signed an extension in 2021.
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