Chelsea plotting stunning raid for Liverpool player who 'wanted to quit' when Arne Slot first arrived

Chelsea are reportedly considering making a shocking move for a Liverpool player who admitted he wanted to leave over the summer.

Since new manager Enzo Maresca joined Chelsea over the summer, the London club have been busy in the transfer window, bringing in the likes of Pedro Neto, Joao Felix and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

The business in the window appears to have paid off so far, as the Blues have enjoyed an impressive start to the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, winning five matches and drawing four of their 11 games, leaving them in third.

And now, a new report has claimed that they are preparing to raid Liverpool for a highly-rated star who admitted he was ready to leave the club.

According to a report from The Sun, Chelsea are planning to make a summer move for Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who is expected to be available at the end of the season.

The Irishman has been invaluable to Liverpool in recent weeks, stepping in for the injured Alisson, helping the League leaders to six wins and one draw.

But with the imminent arrival of Georgian keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who joined the Reds in August, Kelleher will likely depart next summer.

And earlier this season, Kelleher himself made it clear that he was looking to move away from Liverpool in order to secure more first-team minutes.

Speaking in a press conference while playing for the Republic of Ireland during the recent international break, Kelleher said: “I made it clear in the last few years that I want to go somewhere and be a number one. The club has made that decision to get a goalkeeper (Mamardashvili) which makes it look like they’ve made a decision to go another direction.

Caoimhin Kelleher has made 55 senior appearances for Liverpool. (Image: Getty)

“Liverpool have rejected a few bids as well. It’s not always in my hands to fully make the decision. My ambition is clear. I’m good enough & I want to go and play week in, week out.”

However, conflicting reports have emerged about Chelsea's interest, with MailSport reporter Kieran Gill reporting that they are happy with their current goalkeeper situation.

Posting on X, Gill wrote: "Chelsea not looking at Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. Big belief in Robert Sanchez, and CFC feel they have a strong future with 22yo Filip Jorgensen and the incoming 19yo Mike Penders from Genk"