Liverpool ace issues transfer request following £20m Wolves and Nottingham Forest 'interest'

Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest were among many Premier League clubs linked with signing Kelleher in the summer but the goalkeeper remained at Anfield beyond the deadline.

Express Sport reported in July that Wolves and Celtic were keen on signing Kelleher but would have to pay around £20 million to acquire his services. The Athletic then reported in late August that Liverpool rejected a cash plus player offer from Forest for Kelleher, reaffirming their not-for-sale stance.

Wolves ended up signing Sam Johnstone from Crystal Palace and it’s likely the four-time England international will be Gary O’Neil’s first choice between the sticks. As a result, Wanderers probably won’t make an approach for Kelleher anytime soon but Jose Sa departing Molineux could open up a spot.

What is for sure is that the Republic of Ireland international is determined to play regularly in the Premier League. Whether it’s for Wolves, Forest or another club, the 25-year-old believes he has earned a transfer away and hopes Liverpool will loosen their grip.

“Like I said [earlier in the summer], my ambition was to go out and play as a number one,” Kelleher said after Ireland’s recent 2-0 defeat to England in the UEFA Nations League.

“It had been reported that Liverpool had rejected a few bids. It’s not always in my hands to make the decisions but my ambition - as I think I’m good enough - is to go and play week in, week out,” the shot-stopper said.

Kelleher played 26 times for Liverpool across all competitions last campaign, conceding 32 and keeping five clean sheets. He enjoyed more competitive minutes than ever before as he stood in when Alisson Becker suffered regular minor injuries.

The target has never been to play second fiddle, though, and the time has come for Kelleher to progress his career. The goalkeeper’s situation could be once to watch closely when the transfer window reopens in January.