Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is a key target for Celtic as they attempt to identify a long-term successor to Joe Hart.
Celtic have initiated contact over a potential move to bring Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher to Glasgow in 2024.
That is according to transfer insider Dean Jones, who has been speaking to Give Me Sport about Kelleher’s future.
Jones claims that Celtic have certainly made contact over a potential move to sign Kelleher either in January or possible even next summer.
Jones states that Celtic ‘want this to happen’ and believe that Kelleher can be the long-term heir to Joe Hart at Parkhead.
“It’s a weird one, Kelleher. You look at Hart, and he’s got so much experience, and then you’re going to change that by going for a goalkeeper who’s at the opposite end of things and trying to make a name for himself in his career. So, you’re going from one extreme to another.”
“But Kelleher, I feel like he’s one of the best backup goalkeepers in the Premier League right now, and there’s only a certain amount of time he will wait before getting his opportunity. So, we know there’s been contact here, and they want this to happen. Hart can’t go on forever, so it seems like he’d be a good replacement,” he added.
Caoimhin Kelleher needs to think about Liverpool exit
Kelleher is still seen as a young goalkeeper but he turns 25 in November and really needs to think about his first-team prospects.
The Irishman has been hailed as ‘outstanding’ by Jurgen Klopp but isn’t any closer to regular first-team football at Anfield.
Kelleher has only ever played five Premier League games for Liverpool and he could surely play regularly elsewhere.
Celtic could offer that chance with Hart now 36 and looking for a long-term successor to the former England international.
Hart has been a solid goalkeeper for Celtic since his arrival in 2021 but he is likely entering the final stages of his career.
Tottenham Hotspur have also looked at Kelleher
In another world, Kelleher is currently playing under a former Celtic man in Ange Postecoglou.
The Irish Independent claimed in May that Tottenham were looking to sign Kelleher as their new goalkeeper.
Spurs knew they were moving on from Hugo Lloris this summer and started looking at a number of potential shot-stoppers.
Kelleher was one of them but Postecoglou and Spurs ended up signing Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario instead.
It’s hard to see Tottenham returning to the race for Kelleher any time soon with Vicario now on board, with Celtic potentially set to move instead.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
