NafisaLiverpool have reached an £18million agreement with Brentford to transfer goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
The Republic of Ireland international is set to succeed Mark Flekken, who is heading to Bayer Leverkusen for £9million.
Kelleher, 26, had just one year remaining on his deal and Liverpool were hoping for around £20m for the reliable shot-stopper.
Kelleher also attracted interest from West Ham, Leeds, and Bournemouth.
Brentford have had their eye on the goalkeeper since before acquiring Flekken, but Liverpool were only willing to sanction a sale after finalising the signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia last summer.
Kelleher is believed to be eager to fight for a starting role, and Mamardashvili’s arrival means it’s the Georgian who will be competing with Alisson in the upcoming campaign.
Brentford were contending with interest from other clubs for Kelleher, including Leeds and West Ham, but Thomas Frank’s side now lead the race and enjoy a solid rapport with Liverpool, having brought in Sepp van den Berg and Fabio Carvalho from Anfield last summer.
Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has publicly expressed his desire for Kelleher to leave Anfield in pursuit of consistent playing time as a first-choice keeper elsewhere.
Kelleher, who has 22 caps for his nation, claimed his second Premier League title with Liverpool this term but featured in only 10 matches, with Alisson preferred as the No.1.
Flekken will reunite with Erik ten Hag at Leverkusen and the total fee could increase to £11m with performance-related bonuses.
Nafisa
