Newcastle learn caoimhin kelleher transfer fee as cut-price option emerges

NEWCASTLE UNITED TRANSFER LATEST AS HUNT FOR A NEW GOALKEEPER CONTINUES 07:45, 30 May 2025 Newcastle United will look to clinch their first signing of what promises to be a busy summer when

the transfer window opens on Sunday. The early start, which will allow clubs to reinforce their squads before the Club World Cup, will see the trading period available from June 1 to June

10, before a brief closure. Newcastle are expected to be extremely active as they aim to bring four players into their squad. They have targeted a goalkeeper, centre-half, right-sided

forward and a striker as they aim to give Eddie Howe a substantial squad for the assault on the Premier League and Europe next term. James Trafford had been earmarked as the first choice

goalkeeper target after United almost signed him last summer, but his promotion to the Premier League could stall hopes of completing a deal, with the Clarets increasing the price tag on

their prized asset after his record-breaking exploits in the Championship. Newcastle are still pursuing the deal but have identified other options should they be unable to complete the

signing. While the Magpies will have an enhanced budget to work with, boosted by qualification for the Champions League, they know they will still have to be smart financially and are

pursuing a number of value-for-money options across all four areas they are hoping to strengthen. Should Trafford's asking price creep towards £30million, they may look elsewhere.

Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia has been strongly linked with the club and has a £21m fee. Newcastle have also been mooted as a possible destination for Borussia Dortmund's Swiss keeper

Gregor Kobel but the Bundesliga side are expected to want around £45m for his services which is likely to rule the Magpies out. One other player who has been scouted by Newcastle is

Republic of Ireland international Caoimhin Kelleher. The Liverpool shot-stopper is set to leave Liverpool this season in search for first-team football given the competition from Alisson

Becker and new arrival Giorgi Mamardashvili this summer. Liverpool have put a price tag of just £20m on the Irishman's head, which looks great value given his potential and silverware

haul. Kelleher has a Premier League winners medal, a Champions League winners medal, plus an FA Cup and two League Cups under his belt, although he was unable to stop Newcastle from lifting

the Carabao Cup in March. Reports suggest that rivals Aston Villa have stolen a march in the race to sign the 26-year-old. Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez is expected to leave the club this

summer and Unai Emery has identified Kelleher as a potential replacement. Brentford are also interested in Kelleher, who made 10 league starts for Liverpool last season. The Bees'

current No 1, Mark Flekken, is closing on a move to Bayer Leverkusen. Article continues below If Newcastle are interested in a cut-price move for the 6ft 2in shot-stopper they may have to

move quick. Kelleher is believed to not be wanting to rush into a decision as he weighs up offers from a number of clubs, but there is a queue forming. Kelleher admitted after Liverpool were

presented the Premier League trophy on Sunday at Anfield that he was ready to move in search of regular first-team football. “I think I’ve said it before as well that like, I feel like I’m

a number one and I feel like I’m good enough to play week in, week out," he said to Optus Sport.