Wolves summer transfer target told to make huge decision on Liverpool future by Newcastle United hero

In July, it was reported by Express Sport that Wolves and Celtic held an interest in Kelleher but a fee of around £20m would be needed to prize him away from Anfield. In Nottingham Forest then made a player plus cash offer according to The Athletic, but that was turned down, and so all three clubs signed alternative players.

Wolves recruited Sam Johnstone from Crystal Palace, Kasper Schmeichel headed to Celtic Park, and Carlos Miguel joined Forest from Corinthians. Kelleher remained on Merseyside, but remains down the pecking order under Allison, and has only recently got a playing opportunity following an injury to the Brazilian.

Liverpool have signed Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and he will join in 2025, casting the Irishman’s future in to doubt. His countryman Shay Given, who played for the likes of Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Newcastle United in the Premier League, believes that Kelleher should now call time on his career at Liverpool and move on.

Speaking to the Mirror, Given said: “Caoimhin played 26 games last season and in that time he showed that he has the talent to be a No 1 in the Premier League. But he turns 26 later this month and, if I am brutally honest, he needs to get away from Liverpool if he wants that to happen.

“Every professional footballer has to have that hope that if they get a place in the team and perform well then they will keep the jersey. Caoimhin hasn’t got that. It has been made clear to him that he will always be behind Alisson - and let’s be honest he is up against a guy who is one of the best in the world.

“Caoimhin turns 26 later this month. He’s done his time at Liverpool. That’s no disrespect to a brilliant club but they are now starting to think that they can’t hold Kelleher back for much longer because he is a quality player.

“You only have one career, one life and one opportunity to make the most of what you’ve got. Ten years down the road he could be 36 and people are talking about him as being over the hill.”

A move from Wolves for Kelleher seems extremely unlikely given the options that Gary O'Neil has at his disposal. Johnstone came at a cost of £10m after joining from Crystal Palace.

Jose Sa who was signed for a reported €8m in 2021 has been first choice in recent weeks in the absence of Johnstone. Dan Bentley meanwhile signed a three-year contract in September, keeping him at the club until 2027. Tom King who is Wales' third choice goalkeeper is also under contract until 2027 after signing a three-year deal in February.