Wolves fans want to see a productive summer, but it looks as though one previous target will not be making a move to Molineux.
Wanderers have a huge couple of months coming up, with Vitor Pereira hoping he gets the tools to kick on in 2025/26.
Pereira made a tremendous impact at Wolves after replacing Gary O’Neil back in December.
And now, many fans feel as though the Portuguese could genuinely bring the good times back, after he changed the picture entirely.
But the only way to do that is to operate smartly this summer.
We know that Wolves tend not to spend huge amounts on single players these days, having had more success buying players for around the £15-20 million range.
The club will surely be looking at players in that range again this summer – but one player they will not be getting is Caoimhin Kelleher.
Previous Wolves target Caoimhin Kelleher set to join Brentford
It has been reported a couple of times previously that Caoimhin Kelleher was on Wolves’ transfer radar.
The Liverpool number two has had to play second fiddle to Alisson for a long time now at Anfield, but has impressed when he’s been called upon.
Going into this summer, there has been a feeling that Kelleher could finally leave to go and become a number one elsewhere.
But he won’t be heading to Wolves, because Brentford have now agreed a deal to sign the Irishman.
Fabrizio Romano reported earlier today: “Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford, here we go! Deal done for the goalkeeper to join from Liverpool on £18m package fee add-ons included.
“Mark Flekken will leave Brentford and join Bayer Leverkusen for €10m.”
Sky Sports add that the initial payment for Kelleher will be around £12.5 million, with the rest to come through add-ons.
Wolves have missed a trick over Kelleher
Wolves have potentially really missed a trick here.
Earlier this season, the goalkeeper situation at Wolves was described as ‘an absolute mess’ with both Jose Sa and Sam Johnstone in poor form.
Sa improved a lot in the second half of the season and kept Johnstone out of the team, with Johnstone now wanting to leave Wolves after just one year.
Despite the upturn for Sa in recent months, there is still a feeling for a lot of Wolves fans that the goalkeeper position needs strengthening.
And it was actually claimed recently that Wolves would make the goalkeeper position a priority.
| Kelleher | Sa | Johnstone |
| Appearances – 16 | Appearances – 30 | Appearances – 10 |
| Clean sheets – 6 | Clean sheets – 7 | Clean sheets – 1 |
| Clean sheet % – 37.5 | Clean sheet % – 23.3 | Clean sheet % – 10 |
| Save % – 69.2 | Save % – 63.5 | Save % – 67.3 |
| Pass completion % – 75.7 | Pass completion % – 64.1 | Pass completion % – 66.2 |
Kelleher would have been a fantastic signing for Wolves and Brentford getting him for just £18 million is brilliant business by them.
Ultimately, Kelleher is a quality shot-stopper and distributor, and has been very unfortunate to be stuck behind one of the world’s best ‘keepers in Alisson. Even Jurgen Klopp previously branded him ‘outstanding’ (via RTE).
Given this high praise from Klopp, and the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the player from Liverpool fans on social media, this move really is a bargain for the Bees.
It’s unclear if Wolves had any kind of willingness to make a move this summer. But Brentford have swooped quickly, and Kelleher will surely prove to be a great signing at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Perhaps Wolves will instead move for Yahia Fofana, who’s been linked with a move to Molineux in recent weeks.