Celtic have been linked with Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhim Kelleher for several months but his value to the Anfield club has just been made abundantly clear.
It was never expected that Celtic would make a January move for the shot-stopper but he’s said to be a potential long-term replacement for veteran Bhoys star Joe Hart, whose contract expires at the end of the season.
The problem is, he might already be well out of Celtic’s spending capability.
The Daily Mail has reported this evening that Liverpool rejected a deadline day bid of £15m from Nottingham Forest for Kelleher because they do not want to lose him mid-season.
He’s their main back-up to Allison and, as they fight on multiple trophy fronts, the Irishman may well be needed in the second part of the campaign.
It’s also said in today’s report that Liverpool rate the 25-year-old at over £20m in the transfer market with multiple other clubs also keen on his signature.
Tough ask for Celtic to deliver Caoimhin Kelleher
Kelleher may well be a dream goalkeeping option for Rodgers but it increasingly looks like Celtic won’t be able to get their hands on him.
Even if Celtic wanted to pursue the goalkeeper as a loan option in the summer, it has been reported that his wages are out of reach within the Bhoys’ established wage structure.
Hart’s future is undoubtedly a talking point. Rodgers himself has even said his status as number one will be reviewed towards the end of the season.
Celtic need to have a thoroughly scouted and trusted successor lined up to move for if it’s determined that he moves on, it’s not something that can drag on throughout the entire next transfer window.
Kelleher looks unlikely, but there will be a good option out there for the Bhoys to recruit.
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