Brentford is edging closer to finalizing a deal for Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who is set to replace Mark Flekken as he prepares for a transfer to Bayer Leverkusen.

The transfers are interconnected; Kelleher’s move will only proceed following Flekken’s departure. However, there is a strong expectation that the situation will be resolved soon.

Flekken, a 31-year-old Dutch goalkeeper, is set to join Leverkusen for a reported fee of €10 million (approximately £8.4 million) plus potential add-ons. Meanwhile, Kelleher is expected to cost Brentford an upfront fee of £12.5 million, with the total transfer fee estimated at around £18 million. Ongoing negotiations are taking place between the clubs.

At just 26, Kelleher has one year remaining on his current contract, and Liverpool might demand a higher fee for a player who appeared in 20 matches last season and 26 during the current campaign, establishing himself as a dependable option. While multiple clubs expressed interest in the Irish international, Brentford has moved swiftly to secure his services.

Kelleher’s drive to break free from Alisson’s shadow at Anfield coincides with Liverpool’s recent acquisition of Giorgi Mamardashvili, who was signed for £29 million from Valencia last summer.

The 24-year-old Mamardashvili is expected to compete with Alisson, who is likely to remain the starting goalkeeper.

“I have previously expressed that I believe I am a No. 1 goalkeeper; I feel capable of playing regularly, and that is what I aspire to do,” Kelleher remarked. “This past season, I was fortunate to get a lot of game time, and certainly, a move to claim the starting position is something I am considering.”

Liverpool has already generated £10 million from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure to Real Madrid and may look to raise additional funds by considering offers for Luis Diaz from both Al Nassr and Barcelona. The Colombian winger, who joined Liverpool from Porto in 2022, has two years left on his current contract.

Darwin Núñez has also been linked with a potential move to the Saudi Pro League and Al-Hilal.

Outgoing transfers are crucial for Liverpool as they continue discussions with Leverkusen regarding a potentially record-breaking deal for Florian Wirtz, with a recent bid of £109 million submitted.

Jeremie Frimpong has already been signed from Leverkusen for £29.5 million, and there is significant interest in Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez.

Tottenham Hotspur is reportedly maintaining interest in Fikayo Tomori, the AC Milan defender who previously turned down a move to Spurs in January after a £25 million agreement was reached. Tottenham is seeking to acquire a left-sided centre-back this summer, and Tomori, now 27, has two years remaining on his contract.

His future remains uncertain following the appointment of Max Allegri as AC Milan’s head coach, who has supposedly prioritized Matteo Gabbia and Strahinja Pavlovic as his starting centre-back duo, suggesting that either Tomori, who has five caps for England, or Malick Thiaw may be sold. Other defensive alternatives under consideration by Tottenham include Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton. Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi is currently thought to be uninterested in a transfer to Tottenham, despite an offer made in January.

Meanwhile, Thomas Partey’s agents have held discussions with Barcelona, as the 31-year-old Arsenal midfielder has yet to reach an agreement for a new contract ahead of the expiration of his current deal this month.