According to CBS Journalist Ben Jacobs, Newcastle United’s interest in Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has “substance”, as Martin Dubravka exit looms.
The Magpies return to action in the Carabao Cup semi-final tonight against Arsenal at the Emirates, and although the focus will be on the football this evening, Newcastle’s transfer window remains a hot topic.
The summer was undoubtedly a disappointing time for the North East outfit in terms of bringing in players who can make a genuine impact on the first team every week, and in the opening months of the season, it seemed like things had gone stale.
Newcastle struggled to find their consistency at the beginning of the campaign, but instead have grown into it as the months have passed, and the recent re-integration of Sandro Tonali in midfield has played a massive part in turning around the form.
Not only that, in the defensive set-up, loanee turned permanent left-back Lewis Hall has been a revelation in his position and like Tonali, has had an incredible impact on the positive performances seen over the last six weeks.
That isn’t to say that reinforcements aren’t needed because the quality in the depth of the squad is minimal at present and just a few injuries could seriously derail the hard work that the team has put in to get back in the conversation for a European qualification spot at the end of the season.
Financial restrictions and tight budgets have been hanging over Tyneside like a black cloud since the Saudi-led takeover and the club will likely work to a ‘sell to buy’ structure when approaching business over the coming weeks.
It has been reported this week that second-in-command shot-stopper Martin Dubravka is on his way out of the club, which could be as soon as the game against Arsenal tonight is over, as he is heavily touted to join the Saudi Pro League in the coming days.
This is a great piece of business for the club in their pursuit to boost transfer funds, but it does leave them short of a reliable stand-in for Nick Pope, who is currently working hard at the training ground to return to fitness.
Today it has been revealed by CBS journalist Ben Jacobs that Newcastle are one of the clubs tracking Caoimhin Kelleher’s situation at Liverpool, and there is “substance” to their interest in the goalkeeper.
Jacobs told the Fully Loaded Transfer Show:
“Kelleher at Liverpool is another [goalkeeper] that Newcastle really like,”
“There is a market opportunity there because Mamardashvili is coming in, Alisson may well stay and Mamardashvili might not be the number one next season.”
“There is no indication so far that Liverpool plan on loaning Mamardashvili out to keep it as Alisson and Kelleher next season.”
“So Kelleher suddenly is likely to become a number three which is not something he is comfortable with. He doesn’t really want to stay as a number two either.”
“We heard some reports that Chelsea might come in the mix for Kelleher, but I am told there is some substance to Newcastle and Kelleher.”
Should Newcastle sign Caoimhin Kelleher?
There is no doubt that Kelleher – who has a reported £20m price tag – possess the experience and quality to be a great goalkeeper for Newcastle, but it would depend on whether the Liverpool star would be interested in being the second choice once again.
Alisson Becker is the undisputed number one on Merseyside, but his poor injury record has given Kelleher the platform to become a widely recognised high-quality keeper playing a huge part this season in Liverpool’s incredible form in both the Premier League and Champions League.
The 26-year-old Irishman’s consistent performances have not gone unnoticed, with TNT Sports pundit Steve McManaman lavishing praise on him after he made six saves against RB Leipzig in the Champions League this season:
“It’s almost disrespectful calling him a number two, because of course, he does play second in command when Alisson is fit, but he’s played too many games now to be associated as one. He’s an outstanding goalkeeper, outstanding when called upon.”
However, a move for Kelleher would make no sense if he is not going to challenge Pope for the number one spot, as the player would likely be unmotivated by a move to another club without a chance of more game time.
With that being said, it will be interesting to see if Newcastle make a move for Kelleher either this month or in the summer, as it could be a sign that the club are ready to look for a new long-term number one beyond Pope.
