Done Deal Just In – Celtic transfer target from the Premier League has just completed £18million transfer move as per Fabrizio Romano after reportedly being scouted by Hoops as perfect replacement for…

Liverpool have finalised an £18million agreement with Brentford for the transfer of goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher.

The Republic of Ireland international will step in to replace Mark Flekken, who is heading to Bayer Leverkusen in a £9million switch.

Kelleher, 26, had just one year remaining on his deal at Anfield, with Liverpool initially hoping to receive closer to £20m for the dependable goalkeeper.

There had been firm interest from West Ham, Leeds, and Bournemouth, as well as from Scottish champions Celtic. Kelleher’s desire for regular first-team football made him an attractive option for Celtic, especially given his impressive performances when deputizing for Alisson Becker at Liverpool.

However, financial constraints posed a significant hurdle. Liverpool reportedly valued Kelleher at around £20 million, a figure that exceeds Celtic’s record transfer fee. While Celtic were interested, they were unlikely to meet this valuation, making a permanent transfer improbable.

Despite the challenges, Kelleher expressed openness to a move that would offer him Champions League football and a starting role, both of which Celtic could provide. Nonetheless, the financial aspects ultimately made the transfer unfeasible.

Brentford had long admired Kelleher, even before their move for Flekken, but Liverpool were only prepared to sanction a sale once they secured Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia last summer.

Kelleher is believed to be eager to challenge for a starting role, and with Mamardashvili now expected to compete with Alisson next season, opportunities at Liverpool remained limited.

Brentford have edged out other suitors to land Kelleher, benefiting from a solid relationship with Liverpool that has previously seen Sepp van den Berg and Fabio Carvalho arrive on loan.

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson has been vocal about his desire for Kelleher to secure regular first-team football, with the keeper already capped 22 times by his country.

Despite picking up his second Premier League winners’ medal this season, Kelleher made just 10 starts, remaining behind Alisson in the pecking order.

Meanwhile, Flekken will link up with Erik ten Hag at Leverkusen, with his transfer fee potentially rising to £11m through add-ons.