Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford has got a Here We Go! From Fabrizio Romano as the 26-year-old seeks being No.1.
Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is set to transfer to Brentford in the summer of 2025, with advanced talks ongoing between the two clubs. Brentford has emerged as the frontrunner to sign the 26-year-old Republic of Ireland international, who is seeking regular first-team football as a number-one goalkeeper. The move is driven by Brentford’s need to replace their current goalkeeper, Mark Flekken, who has agreed to join Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of around £11 million (€13 million, inclusive of add-ons). Flekken’s transfer is reportedly contingent on Brentford securing Kelleher as his replacement.
Liverpool have set an asking price for Kelleher in excess of £20 million, though some reports suggest a final fee could be around £18 million. The lower valuation is likely due to Kelleher entering the final year of his contract, which expires in 2026, and his public desire to leave Anfield for regular playing time.
Kelleher has been Liverpool’s backup goalkeeper behind Alisson Becker, making 67 appearances for the club, including 20 in the 2024-25 season, with 10 Premier League starts. He has kept 24 clean sheets and played a key role in Liverpool’s two Carabao Cup final victories (2022 and 2024) and their 2024-25 Premier League title win. However, the arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia, who is set to compete with Alisson next season, has further limited Kelleher’s prospects at Liverpool, prompting his exit.
Brentford’s interest in Kelleher dates back to at least 2023, when they considered him as a replacement for David Raya. The clubs share a strong relationship, having completed transfers for Sepp van den Berg and Fabio Carvalho in the previous summer, both for fees exceeding £20 million. Brentford’s proactive approach in the transfer window, including the recent signing of Michael Kayode, underscores their intent to secure Kelleher early. Other clubs, including West Ham, Leeds United, Bournemouth, and Aston Villa, have also shown interest, but Brentford are in pole position.
Kelleher has expressed his ambition to play regularly, stating after Liverpool’s Premier League title win, “I feel like I’m a number one and I feel like I’m good enough to play week in, week out.” Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has also endorsed the move, emphasizing Kelleher’s need for consistent game time at a high level.
The transfer is expected to progress swiftly, with Brentford aiming to finalize the deal to facilitate Flekken’s departure. However, the exact timeline and final fee remain subject to ongoing negotiations.
The deal is done as confirmed by Fabrizion Romano.