Kelleher

Ireland hooker Ronan Kelleher says players must fulfil their individual responsibilities better if the squad is to bounce back in their three home autumn internationals after losing to New Zealand in Chicago.

The All Blacks secured a 26-13 comeback win over Andy Farrell’s side at Soldier Field, with the Irish now set to face Japan on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, then Australia and South Africa at the same venue.

Tadhg Beirne had his initial yellow card after three minutes of the contest with New Zealand upgraded to a 20-minute red and although Ireland led 13-7 early in the second half, a flurry of three tries in the space of 15 minutes in the final quarter of the game saw their opponents avenge their loss at the same venue nine years previously.

Beirne’s sanction was subsequently rescinded on appeal.

“Obviously it wasn’t what we wanted. We went there with a plan, but we obviously didn’t execute it,” said Kelleher.

“It was more us not doing our jobs to the best of our ability really and on the day, we weren’t good enough.

“I think it just came down to our execution on the day. We just got it wrong at times.”

Kelleher, who was called up to the British and Irish Lions squad in July, added that it was “particularly disappointing” to concede those three late tries after he had come on as a replacement for fellow Leinster player Dan Sheehan just after the hour mark.

“I came off the bench but it was difficult out there, we just didn’t get our dead stops. We didn’t manage to do what we said we were going to do, which was get two-man shots, slow up their breakdown with dominant collisions and we didn’t manage to do that.

“Then when they managed to get a bit of momentum on us, they managed to keep the foot on the throat and we couldn’t wrestle that momentum back.

“I think ultimately we have to take the learnings from the game and make sure we improve from here on in. We weren’t good enough for large parts, so I think it’s just back to the drawing board really.

“It’s up to each player individually to make sure that they’re doing the bit of extras, whatever needs to be done.”

“We talked before about who will be the player to take them to the World Cup? I think he is the biggest trump card.”

Former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann was full of praise for Caoimhin Kelleher after the Republic of Ireland’s 1-1 draw with Senegal.

Kelleher’s resolve was finally broken in the 81st minute after making three big saves to keep the African side out in Dublin.

It has been a big week for the 26-year-old, who left Liverpool to join Brentford for an initial £12.5m, which could rise to £18m with add-ons.

According to former Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given, “in the current climate he’s worth every single penny, if not more”.

“No disrespect to Brentford, but I’m surprised there wasn’t a few more bigger clubs in,” Given said on RTE Sport.

“Unless clubs have gone, ‘let’s have a look at him at Brentford. We know they are a selling club, let’s see him as a number one for a year or two’.

“At 26 years of age he’s still plenty young enough. He looks the real deal”

Flekken, who has signed a three-year deal with Leverkusen, had been at Brentford since joining from Freiburg in May 2023.

The 31-year-old made 77 appearances for the west London club and helped them finish 10th in the Premier League last season.

“Mark has proven to be a seamless replacement for David Raya, who set an extremely high standard during his years with us,” added Giles.

“We were expecting Mark to be our goalkeeper for many more years, however when Bayer Leverkusen made it known that they wanted to do this transfer, and Mark made it clear that he was interested in moving closer to home and with a possibility of Champions League football, we turned our attention towards how all parties could make this happen.

“Mark has done a great job for us and leaves with our thanks and support.”

Leverkusen recently appointed former Ajax and Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag as their new manager following the departure of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid.

“Mark Flekken possesses a wide range of skills that a goalkeeper in modern top-flight football must possess,” said Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes.

“Mark exudes an impressive physical presence; from a footballing perspective, he has certainly been one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League over the past two years.”

Barcelona want to sign Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, Liverpool are ready to submit a bid for Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez, while Everton eye Brighton’s Matt O’Riley.

Barcelona have opened talks with Arsenal and Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey, 31, over a free transfer when his contract expires in June. (Sun), external

Liverpool are preparing to make a formal bid for Bournemouth’s Hungary left-back Milos Kerkez, 21, who has already agreed to the move and is valued by the Cherries at more than £40m. (GiveMeSport), external

Liverpool have failed with two offers for Bayer Leverkusen’s German playmaker Florian Wirtz, 22, and may have to offer England Under-21 pair Harvey Elliott, 22, and Jarell Quansah, 22, in part-exchange. (Kicker via Mirror), external

Ipswich and England Under-21 striker Liam Delap, 22, has completed the first part of his medical over a £30m move to Chelsea. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Everton are interested in Brighton midfielder Matt O’Riley, 24, but are unsure if the Seagulls will sell the Denmark international (Sky Sports), external

Former Napoli, Chelsea and Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri, 66, is close to returning for a second spell as Lazio head coach. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Bayer Leverkusen have agreed a fee worth 10m euros (£8.43m) to sign 31-year-old Netherlands goalkeeper Mark Flekken from Brentford. (Sky Germany), external

Brentford have agreed an initial £12.5m deal, rising to £18m, with Liverpool for Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, 26, to replace Flekken. (Sky Sports), external

Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi, 49, will make a decision by Wednesday at the latest on whether to accept an offer to become Al-Hilal boss in time to lead the Saudi Pro League side at this month’s Fifa Club World Cup. (Rudy Galetti), external

Barcelona sporting director Deco said they are not looking for a new striker after links with Sporting’s Sweden forward Viktor Gyokeres, 26, who is also being tracked by both Arsenal and Manchester United. (A Bola via Mirror), external

Germany goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, 33, says he is “not worried” about his position at Barcelona, who have been linked with Espanyol’s Spain stopper Joan Garcia, 24. (Forbes), external

LIVERPOOL goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has been tipped for a shock move to fierce rivals Manchester United.

United’s goalkeeper crisis means they could look to sell Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir and release Tom Heaton this summer.

1

Onana and No 2 stopper Bayindir are both prone to howlers, with United eyeing a complete reset.

Meanwhile Kelleher, capped 22 times for Ireland already, is understood to want to compete for regular minutes.

Kelleher secured his second Premier League title with Liverpool this season but only started 10 games with Alisson ahead of him in the pecking order.

Prominent United reporter at ESPN Mark Ogden has put Kelleher on his shortlist of potential goalkeepers to replace Onana.

Ogden said: “Kelleher wants to move, he wants to play football.

“It would be good deal at such a low price to get someone with proven experience in English football.”

Liverpool value the 26-year-old in excess of £20million, with Brentford also interested.

The champions have only been open to selling him since securing Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia last summer.

Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plus
in-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford

Meanwhile, Aston Villa No 1 Emi Martinez is the bookie’s favourite to replace Onana at Old Trafford.

SunSport exclusively revealed that Martinez, twice voted Best Goalkeeper in the world, is reportedly up for the challenge.

Martinez, 32, fuelled speculation when he broke down in tears and  took a bow in front of the Holte End after Villa’s final home game of the season.

The World Cup winner’s contract runs until 2029 but a bid of £40million or more would ease Villa’s PSR concerns.

Al-Nassr want to sign Liverpool’s Luis Diaz, Bayern Munich remain confident of signing Florian Wirtz, Chelsea could turn Jadon Sancho’s loan move from Manchester United into a permanent deal.

Liverpool’s Luis Diaz, 28, is wanted by Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, who are monitoring the Colombia winger’s contract situation at Anfield. (Telegraph – subscription required), external

Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich are still confident of persuading Bayer Leverkusen attacker Florian Wirtz, 22, to join them this summer – and not Liverpool. (SZ, in German), external

Chelsea have been impressed by Jadon Sancho’s recent performances and could trigger their £25m obligation to buy clause with Manchester United to sign the 25-year-old English winger on a permanent deal. (i Sport), external

Brentford are in talks with Liverpool over a deal to sign 26-year-old Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. (Sky Germany), external

Liverpool want more than £20m for Kelleher. (Athletic – subscription required), external

Napoli are closing in on agreeing personal terms with Lille’s 25-year-old Canada forward Jonathan David, who has also been contacted by Juventus. (Sky Sports), external

Chelsea have joined Juventus in making a formal enquiry with Sporting Lisbon over the availability of 26-year-old Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres, who is also wanted by Arsenal. (Record – in Portuguese), external

Juventus are interested in signing Real Madrid’s 18-year-old Brazil forward Endrick on loan. (Calciomercato – in Italian), external

Former Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri is set for a return to AC Milan as manager. The 57-year-old spent four years at the San Siro between 2010 and 2014. (Calciomercato), external

Ipswich Town have offered Chelsea’s 19-year-old Spanish forward Marc Guiu a loan deal in the Championship next season. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Striker Marcus Rashford is happy to take a pay cut in order to get a move from Manchester United to Barcelona, Arsenal braced for Jakub Kiwior bid from Napoli, AC Milan turn down Manchester City offer for Tijjani Reijnders.

Manchester United and England forward Marcus Rashford, 27, currently on loan at Aston Villa, is willing to lower his wage demands to secure a summer move to Barcelona. (Mundo Deportivo – in Spanish), external

Barcelona want to take Rashford on loan from Manchester United in the first instance but with an option to buy. (Sport – in Spanish), external

Arsenal and Poland defender Jakub Kiwior, 25, will be targeted by Napoli again this summer but the Serie A club want the Gunners to lower their £30m asking price. (Calciomercato – in Italian), external

Manchester United will not sack manager Ruben Amorim even if they lose the Europa League final against Tottenham. (Mirror), external

Manchester City are planning a £180m double deal for Bayer Leverkusen’s Germany winger Florian Wirtz, 22, and AC Milan and the Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, 26. (Mirror), external

AC Milan have turned down a £50.4m offer from Manchester City for Reijnders. (Teamtalk), external

Bayer Leverkusen and the Netherlands right wing-back Jeremie Frimpong, 24, has agreed a five-year contract with Liverpool. (Talksport), external

Germany winger Leroy Sane, 29, has rejected the offer of a new contract at Bayern Munich amid links with clubs in the Premier League and La Liga. ( Sky Germany – in German), external

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez looks to be on his way out of the club with the 32-year-old Argentine receiving offers from Saudi Arabia and two European sides. (Mundo Albiceleste – in Spanish), external

Martinez and his family are settled in Birmingham but he wants to move in order to win more trophies. (Ole – in Spanish), external

Aston Villa are eyeing Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher as a potential replacement for Martinez but face competition from Chelsea, Newcastle United and Bournemouth for the 26-year-old Republic of Ireland goalkeeper. (The I), external

Espanyol’s Spanish goalkeeper Joan Garcia, 24, is also interesting Aston Villa. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Newcastle United are ready to spend £150m in the summer transfer window with a right winger, forward and goalkeeper high on manager Eddie Howe’s wish-list. (Newcastle Chronicle), external

Real Madrid and Brazil forward Vinicius Jr, 24, is a target for a number of Saudi Arabian clubs with an offer of £210m (250m euros) believed to be on the table. (Fichajes – in Spanish), external

Former Al-Nassr manager Luis Castro turned down a chance to take over at Brazilian side Corinthians with the 63-year-old Portuguese on course for a role in the Premier League. (Foot Mercato – in French), external