Liverpool turn down chance to sign £10m former Arsenal player in late swap deal with Nottingham Forest

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Liverpool could yet make an extra signing or two as the clock ticks down on the summer transfer window.

The Reds announced the addition Federico Chiesa on Thursday as their first immediate new buy of the summer.

With just one day left of the transfer window, the clock is really ticking down for Liverpool. But with a couple of gaps still open in the first-team squad, fans remains hopeful of a surprise.

One potential shock arrived on Thursday evening, with the news that Liverpool have turned down a bid from Nottingham Forest for Caoimhin Kelleher.

That Kelleher is attracting interest in itself is not necessarily a surprise at all, but as further details of the bid emerge, the nature of it may raise an eyebrow or two.

Liverpool reject Matt Turner chance

With barely any time left in the window, it would have been inadvisable for Liverpool to let Kelleher leave, no matter the offer.

The Reds stuck a £25m price tag on Kelleher earlier in the window, but even if Nottingham Forest had met that, it would have been difficult to replace the Irishman at this late stage.

By the sounds of things, though, there was never really much chance of Forest meeting Liverpool’s demands.

According to The Athletic, Forest attempted to soften the blow of the Reds losing their back-up by offering American goalkeeper Matt Turner go in the other direction.

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The bid is said to have been a player plus cash deal, although the amount of money on offer is not disclosed.

Whatever the sum, it’s claimed that it ‘did not come close’ to what Liverpool would reasonably accept for Kelleher.

Furthermore, the Reds are reportedly not looking to sell the 25-year-old before Friday’s deadline.

Liverpool do the right thing

It would be interesting to hear what Forest were offering in terms of cash for Kelleher, but whatever it was, Liverpool have done the right thing here.

In terms of a back-up, it’s possible that Turner could actually have been slotted in as the third choice at Liverpool.

There is an argument that Vitezslav Jaros is able enough to step into Kelleher’s gloves as a number two, but that would be a gamble.

What is relatively certain is that Turner is not good enough to be Alisson’s back-up at Anfield. The American was a £10m signing for Forest from Arsenal in 2023, but is not on Kelleher’s level.

It remains to be seen whether Forest up their bid before the deadline passes, but it seems likely that Liverpool will remain steadfast in their determination not to sell Kelleher.