Jason McAteer has urged Chelsea to sign Caoimhin Kelleher and believes the Liverpool star would cost ‘in the region of £30m to £40m’.
Many football pundits have argued that Chelsea cannot be considered Premier League title challengers until they recruit a new goalkeeper.
Robert Sanchez is currently Chelsea’s No.1 ‘keeper but has faced criticism and some have stated he’s a weak link, with the Blues needing an upgrade.
Former Liverpool midfielder McAteer, who played for the Reds from 1995 to 1999, believes Kelleher should become Chelsea’s main ‘keeper instead.
McAteer feels the move makes sense – given Kelleher’s ability and desire to play regular football – mixed with the fact that Georgia international goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili is officially joining Liverpool in July 2025.
‘I think Caoimhin got to the point in his career now where he’s going to have to make a big choice at the end of the season,’ McAteer told beIN Sports.
‘If he wants a career somewhere else and play rather than just sit on the bench waiting to get in to play in a number of games for Liverpool.
‘Chelsea is the big one. [Robert] Sanchez, I don’t think he’s… no. I think you should get Caoimhin [Kelleher] now.
‘I think his valuation certainly would have gone up over the last couple of seasons with what we’ve seen.
‘You’re probably maybe looking in the region of £30 to £40 million for him. With Mamardashvili coming in, I think that’s saying to him [he can] go and have a career [at a different club].’
Kelleher has made 12 appearances for Liverpool this term with their No.1 ‘keeper Alisson Becker struggling with a hamstring injury.
The Irishman has made no secret of his desire for regular first-team football, explaining his stance to The Telegraph in October.
‘I was quite clear [last summer] that I wanted to play first-team football, whether that was here or elsewhere,’ he said. ‘I wanted to be a No.1.’