Celtic eye record-breaking move for Liverpool hero

Tom Weber

• Updated: 26 Feb 2024 17:41 GMT
• 3 min read

Celtic are eyeing a summer swoop for Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, according to a report.

The 25-year-old shot-stopper was showered with praise after his Carabao Cup final heroics helped a youthful Liverpool side overcome Chelsea on Sunday. Match-winner Virgil van Dijk called the Ireland international 'world-class' after the game.

"I’m probably one of his biggest fans, I think. I have always said he is world class and he stepped up today again. It’s good to see. He’s a good boy, good goalkeeper and that’s what we need at a club like Liverpool.”

Inevitably, talk of Kelleher leaving the club to become a number one elsewhere has reappeared in the aftermath of the Carabao Cup final. The 25-year-old has been described as the "best number two in the world" by Jurgen Klopp, but he needs to be a regular starter if he wants to displace the very promising Gavin Bazunu as his country's first-choice goalkeeper.

Celtic plot summer swoop

According to HITC, Celtic could offer Kelleher a way out of Anfield. The Bhoys are in the market for a new number after Joe Hart announced his decision to retire at the end of the season and the Irishman looks an intriguing option.

A major stumbling block will likely be the fee required to prise the goalkeeper away from Liverpool. Kelleher is under contract until 2026 and the Reds reportedly rejected a €17.5 million bid from Nottingham Forest for him in January.

The current Scottish transfer record stands at €18m, meaning that Celtic would likely have to put a record-breaking amount of money on the table to shatter Liverpool's resolve. FootballTransfers recently explained that a move to the continent may be Kelleher's best option to become a number one, but Celtic now appear an enticing destination.