Notts Forest offer 15 million for Caoimhin Kelleher but Liverpool say no

CORK'S Caoimhin Kelleher has been the subject of a deadline day transfer bid, with Liverpool rejecting an initial offer of £15m from fellow Premier League side Nottingham Forest.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has no intention of parting with his deputy goalkeeper but Forest may test that stance by upping their bid ahead of the 11pm deadline tonight.

The Cork-born goalkeeper has played just 12 games this season but a Carabao Cup final start against Chelsea on February 25 has been guaranteed by his boss.

Two years ago, he was the hero of the decider between the side at Wembley, scoring by scoring the winning penalty in sudden death.

Kelleher is now 25 and the lack of regular first-team football has contributed to him remaining as understudy at international level too, with Championship regular Gavin Bazunu Ireland’s No 1.

Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been so far successful in his quest to steer his side away from relegation trouble by sitting 16th but wants to improve his goalkeeping options.

Matt Turner and Odysseas Vlachodimos, the Greek stopper who faced Ireland in two Euro qualifiers last year, are currently at the club but Matz Sels from Strasbourg is close to signing and another custodian is being actively sought.

It’s understood Forest’s enquiry today about Aaron Ramsdale’s availability was spurned by Arsenal but they’ve tabled a firm offer to entice Kelleher.

That has been flatly rejected but doesn’t mean the pursuit has been abandoned.

Klopp, due to leave at the end of the season, also has Adrian to provide cover to first-choice Alisson.