Kelleher used as BAIT to land £80m West Ham forward

Liverpool are set for a goalkeeping shakeup over the summer months. Giorgi Mamardashvili is arriving from Valencia once his current loan deal ends and the Georgian doesn’t want to come to sit on the bench.

The 24-year-old has made it clear he sees himself as a No1, placing him on a collision course with current incumbent Alisson Becker.

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And while there has been transfer noise around the Brazilian, it would be a surprise if Liverpool opted to offload him this summer.

More likely is that Caoimhin Kelleher departs.

The 26-year-old is under contract until 2026 but wants to become a No1 in his own right. There is little prospect of that happening while Alisson - and now Mamardashvili - are ahead of him at Anfield.

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There have been several suitors named for the Irishman - with Premier League interest reckoned to be coming from Newcastle and West Ham.

Other sides have been linked - such as Leicester and Leeds United - while Nottingham Forest are reported to have made a bid last summer.

In a recent Chronicle report it was claimed that Liverpool are seeking £40m for Kelleher - who contributed richly to the club’s Premier League success this season.

West Ham want Kelleher - but can't afford him

That sum is a little too much for cash-strapped West Ham, according to Dom Smith of the Standard, who claims the club will have to offload players before making a move for a new No1.

Lukasz Fabianski is now 40 while Alphonse Areola has rarely convinced, meaning Graham Potter’s side are in desperate need of a reliable man between the sticks.

“West Ham are considering their goalkeeping options due to the fact 40-year-old Fabianski’s future is not certain,” he told Liverpool News as reported by West Ham Zone.

And on whether West Ham were able to afford Kelleher he said: “This remains to be seen, but West Ham will be strapped for cash this summer and are effectively in a sell-to-buy situation.”

This opens up an intriguing situation for the Reds. With West Ham requiring outgoing business before landing main targets, Liverpool could opt to take a look at one of the Hammers’ current stars.

Could Liverpool land Kudus at a discount?

Mohammed Kudus, for example, is a player long-established on the Liverpool radar. The Ghanaian is a big favourite inside the dressing room and his versatility is sure to appeal to Arne Slot.

West Ham have got a release clause - believed to be £80m - in Kudus’ contract but given his poor season they are unlikely to achieve it.

Recent reports suggested that the London side could offer the former Ajax forward at a discount, with £50m reckoned to be a price the club would do business at.

If Liverpool rate Kelleher at around £40m, then there could be the possibility of adding Kudus for a total outlay of £10m.

Kudus known to Heitinga

Although his goal and assist tally this season has been unimpressive - four goals and two assists in 29 starts - there is still a very good player there.

Arne Slot could well be the man to unlock Kudus, who is also well-known to another Liverpool coach in John Heitinga - who managed him at Ajax.

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Under contract until 2028, Kudus is widely expected to leave this summer. He could be a solution for Liverpool at centre-forward and attacking midfield, and is also more than able to play on either flank.