Liverpool have rejected a £15million bid for goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher from Nottingham Forest on transfer deadline day.
Kelleher is back-up to Liverpool's first-choice stopper Alisson and has been largely reduced to cup appearances this season, featuring just twice in the Premier League when his team-mate was injured. But Jurgen Klopp does not want to let Kelleher leave the club in January and has knocked back Forest's approach.
Mail Online report the Reds dismissed the offer from the City Ground and do not want to sell the Republic of Ireland international whose contract is set to expire in 2026. Kelleher has made 10 starts across the Europa League and Carabao Cup this term and is in line to start the final of the latter competition against Chelsea later this month.
The report suggests that Liverpool hold the 25-year-old in high regard and note that James Trafford moved in a £19m deal from Manchester City to Burnley. Liverpool believe Kelleher is further along in his development and they value him higher than Forest's offer.
Speaking in December, Klopp - who departs at the end of the season - recognised Kelleher's ability to compete for a spot in the first team. The German coach lavished praise on his No.2 keeper as he deputised for Alisson.
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He said: "We see him every day in training, he is an exceptional talent. Maybe we don’t mention the name often enough, but John Achterberg [goalkeeper coach] said to me from day one when I was in that this will be our homegrown boy who will make it.
"Since then, we see every step, he was a boy now a man. Top goalie, no doubt. He is, in general, a focused person and we will not see him in a bar tonight celebrating the clean sheet! That’s not a problem. Caoimh is prepared for that, he wants that now.”
Forest are already expected to allow US shotstopper Ethan Horvath to move to Cardiff City after on-loan goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson departed the Bluebirds. Nuno Espirito Santo is now set to land former Newcastle ace Matz Sels from Strasbourg..
Nuno Espirito Santo has had a positive impact at the City Ground (Getty Images)The Portuguese coach has been linked to the likes of Crystal Palace's Sam Johnstone too, with Matt Turner not convincing in goal. Forest have already landed Giovani Reyna on loan and signed young striker Rodrigo Ribeiro and Selz looks likely to be the next added to that list.
The Belgian has played every match in Ligue 1 for the French side and donned the captain's armband on each occasion. Nevertheless, a £5m deal looks to be in place.
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