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Premier League club eyes Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher as Luis Diaz is linked to Barcelona - Paper Round
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Published 18/03/2025 at 10:43 GMT
Tuesday’s Paper Round leads on Bournemouth's transfer plans, with The Cherries confident of beating rivals to the signature of Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher this summer. Meanwhile Eddie Howe is in line for a big bonus at Newcastle after their Carabao Cup win over Arne Slot's Reds, while Luis Diaz is being linked with a possible move to Barcelona.
Slot admits to 'tough week' as Liverpool lick wounds from cup defeats
Video credit: SNTV
Bournemouth lead race for Kelleher
Bournemouth are leading the way in the race to sign Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher this summer, The Sun reports. The shotstopper may well have played his final game for Liverpool, in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Newcastle.
The back-up to Alisson Becker is keen to leave Liverpool in search of regular first-team football, and amid interest from Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle, the Republic of Ireland international may find that is the case at Bournemouth.
The Sun adds: “Bournemouth are ready to move first, putting them in pole position, as manager Andoni Iraola has made signing a goalkeeper a priority with Kelleher his top target.
“Iraola has used on-loan goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga for most of the season, but there is no obligation to buy in the loan contract with Chelsea and his performances have been mixed.
“The Spaniard was dropped by Iraola earlier in the season for another young Irish goalkeeper, Mark Travers, who is now on loan at Middlesbrough.”
Diaz to Barcelona links
The Sun also report that Liverpool winger Luis Diaz may exit Anfield at the end of this season, with Barcelona rumoured to be interested.
"The Colombian winger was on the radar of the Catalan giants last summer," says the article. "Barcelona could not strike a deal due to financial constraints while Liverpool demanded £75million.
"But reporter Fabrizio Romano claims it is "concrete possibility" that Diaz is shown the exit door soon.
"The 28-year-old's contract does not expire until the summer of 2027, but Liverpool could cash-in to stop the player running down his deal.
"Romano expects Barcelona to come back in for him as he is 'appreciated' by their transfer chiefs."
Bonus incoming for Howe?
Eddie Howe is in line for a £3m bonus if Newcastle qualify for the Champions League, the Telegraph reports. Fresh from Newcastle’s League Cup triumph, the report reveals what Howe stands to earn if they make Europe’s most prestigious competition.
The Newcastle manager signed a new long-term contract last season, and having masterminded their win over Liverpool to end their trophy drought, the next goal is finishing inside the top five – which should be enough for English clubs to make the Champions League next season.
The Telegraph adds: “Having made sure of at least a place in the European Conference League by winning the Carabao Cup, Howe will now target a top-five finish to ensure a Champions League place, which would see his wage rise by 50 per cent to around £9 million a year. Newcastle are currently sixth in the table, two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea with a game in hand.
“The normally reserved Howe almost cracked with the emotion of ending Newcastle’s long and painful wait for silverware, holding back tears in his post-match press conference as he dedicated the win to his late mother Anne.
“From the moment he accepted the job in November 2021, this was the trophy he wanted to win. The achievement not only secured the first major trophy of his managerial career, but it established him as the most successful Newcastle manager for 70 years. The club last won domestic silverware in 1955 in the form of the FA Cup.
“It is understood the club’s Saudi Arabian owners had already expressed their gratitude to Howe for the job he has done at a board meeting this month, when chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan promised to listen to his needs ahead of an ambitious summer of recruitment.”
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