Goalkeeping has become one of Hansi Flick’s top priorities at Barcelona following the serious injury to Marc-André ter Stegen, which will keep him sidelined until next season. As a result, the club has had to rely on Iñaki Peña, who has stepped up well in the interim.
According to El Nacional, the German coach believes the team needs a more experienced and dependable goalkeeper for the challenges of the upcoming season. He has already mentioned one of the key names that sporting director Deco is considering: Caoimhin Kelleher.
The 26-year-old Liverpool goalkeeper, Kelleher, has gained attention from top European clubs. Although he is usually a backup to Alisson Becker, Kelleher has had more opportunities to play this season due to the Brazilian’s injury. He has impressed with his quick reactions, confidence, and ability to play with his feet, making him a target for several clubs, including Barcelona.
In addition, Liverpool has secured the signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili for next season, which means Kelleher will no longer be the first-choice keeper at Anfield. This situation has prompted Kelleher to consider leaving in search of more regular playing time, and Flick believes this presents a transfer opportunity that Barcelona should seize.
While Peña has performed admirably as the starting goalkeeper, the club recognizes the importance of having a world-class keeper to compete at the highest level across all competitions. Flick values Kelleher’s skill set, particularly his ability to build attacks from the back, which aligns with Barcelona’s style of play.
The uncertainty surrounding Ter Stegen’s recovery adds to the situation. Despite being a key player for Barcelona, there are concerns about how well he will recover from his persistent injury issues, which have lingered for several seasons.
Given Barcelona’s financial limitations, the club will aim to negotiate a favorable deal with Liverpool for Kelleher.
Signing him would not only bolster the goalkeeper position in the short term but also provide a high-quality backup in case Ter Stegen struggles to return to full fitness. With both Flick and Deco backing the move, Kelleher has emerged as one of the club’s top transfer targets for next summer.
