- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Celtic have been watching Trabzonspor goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir and Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher as the Scottish Premiership champions prepare for life without Joe Hart.
As the experienced Englishman confirmed his intention to hang up his gloves at the end of the current campaign, Celtic’s pursuit of a replacement kicked up a notch.
HITC Football understands that Liverpool glovesman Caoimhin Kelleher, who was so impressive in Sunday’s EFL Cup final victory over Chelsea, is very high on Brendan Rodgers’ wishlist. The Cork-born Republic of Ireland international, labelled ‘world-class’ by Wembley matchwinner Virgil van Dijk following a series of outstanding stops, may be tempted by the prospect of regular first-team football north of the border.
There is an acceptance, however, that signing Kelleher may be easier said than done. Previous reports have indicated that Liverpool would demand around £15 million.
And while Celtic do have money in the bank following some big-money sales, the Glasgow giants may still feel that Kelleher is a little too costly.
Liverpool need a goalkeeper to replace Joe Hart
It has been confirmed to HITC, meanwhile, that Celtic are also looking at Ugurcan Cakir, the Turkish shot-stopper who captained Trabzonspor to the Super Lig title in 2021. Cakir, who has also been labelled a ‘world-class’ talent, may be available for a lower fee than Liverpool will demand for Kelleher.
He reportedly came close to joining Nottingham Forest last season for a deal which could have reached around £7.5 million.
HITC have been told that Celtic have now watched Cakir, even if he might not be their number one choice to fill Hart’s boots.
‘World-class’ Ugurcan Cakir
The 27-year-old has spent his entire professional career in Turkey. It remains to be seen if The Hoops have reservations about spending heavily on a glovesman with no experience of UK football, with the big-money failure of Vasilis Barkas still fresh in the memory.
There can be no doubts, however, about Cakir’s talent.
“Ugurcan is a world-class goalkeeper, in my opinion,” Trabzonspor hero Ali Kemal Denizci said back in 2021, following the Black Sea club’s first league title since 1984.
“The market value of Ugurcan Cakir (should be) no less than 50 million dollars. An ordinary offer cannot be accepted. If Ugurcan goes in a team in Europe, believe me, there will be an offer of 50 million dollars.”
Celtic have already missed out on two potential goalkeeping targets this year. Hakon Valdimarsson joined Brentford while Horatiu Moldovan moved to Atletico.
Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin has also been linked. But after an outstanding couple of performances under Carlo Ancelotti, he may be more ambitious a target than Kelleher these days.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
