Brentford ‘Agree Deal’ with Bundesliga Side Over Summer Move
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Brentford ‘Agree Deal’ with Bundesliga Side Over Summer Move | OneFootball
Bayer Leverkusen have reached an agreement with Brentford for the transfer of Dutch goalkeeper Mark Flekken. The 31-year-old, who arrived in West London only last summer, is now expected to join forces with Erik ten Hag in Germany. Brentford have already turned to Liverpool in search of a replacement. Caoimhin Kelleher, valued at £20 million, has long been viewed as the best No.2 in the league behind Alisson Becker. However, the Bees are not alone in their pursuit, with West Ham and Leeds also in the running for his signature. The Dutchman had his moments at Brentford, combining solid shot-stopping with assured distribution. Yet, questions over his command of the box and a few high-profile errors led to speculation about his long-term future. With a new manager incoming and Champions League football secured, the German side are positioning themselves as more than a one-season story. Losing him may actually be a chance to upgrade to an exciting upgrade in goal.
According to Sky Sports, Bayer Leverkusen have reached an agreement with Brentford for the transfer of Dutch goalkeeper Mark Flekken. The 31-year-old, who arrived in West London only last summer, is now expected to join forces with Erik ten Hag in Germany.
This move marks a swift turn in Brentford’s goalkeeping plans, and although Flekken endured a mixed debut season in the Premier League, he remained a key figure for Thomas Frank’s side.
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Flekken Departure Signals Busy Summer Ahead
“Bayer Leverkusen have reached an agreement with Brentford for the transfer of goalkeeper Mark Flekken,” reported Sky in Germany, a move that underlines Leverkusen’s intent to strengthen further following their unbeaten Bundesliga-winning campaign.
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Flekken, previously with Freiburg, had his moments at Brentford, combining solid shot-stopping with assured distribution. Yet, questions over his command of the box and a few high-profile errors led to speculation about his long-term future. With Brentford finishing in the bottom half and conceding 65 goals, it’s no surprise the club are looking to retool.
His departure also reunites him with Erik ten Hag, who is reportedly set to take the reins at Leverkusen following Xabi Alonso’s exit. The link between Dutch football’s modern guard continues to shape transfers across Europe.
Kelleher Topping Brentford’s Replacement List
With Flekken’s exit all but sealed, Brentford have already turned to Liverpool in search of a replacement. Sky Sports News reports that, “Brentford have approached Liverpool for Caoimhin Kelleher as a potential replacement for Flekken.”
Kelleher, valued at £20 million, has long been viewed as the best No.2 in the league. His cool temperament and clean distribution have impressed in limited opportunities behind Alisson Becker. But the 26-year-old now craves first-team football — and Brentford could offer that platform.
However, the Bees are not alone in their pursuit. “They face competition from West Ham and Leeds for the 26-year-old,” Sky Sports adds. All three clubs are in need of a reliable keeper, and Liverpool’s valuation reflects both his pedigree and potential.
Brentford’s Strategic Challenge
Brentford’s recruitment model has long been admired for its data-driven, forward-thinking approach. Replacing Flekken will be less about reputation and more about tactical fit — and if Kelleher is the profile they want, they may need to act decisively in what’s becoming a competitive market.
They must also weigh the cost. Spending £20 million on a goalkeeper is a significant outlay for a club like Brentford, even if the investment is for a long-term No.1.
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Leverkusen’s Project Gains Momentum
Meanwhile, Flekken becomes a part of a growing Leverkusen project that shows no signs of slowing down. With a new manager incoming and Champions League football secured, the German side are positioning themselves as more than a one-season story.
In Flekken, they gain experience, Bundesliga familiarity, and a goalkeeper who thrives in a passing system, all vital as they look to consolidate their success.
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For Brentford fans, Flekken’s exit doesn’t come as a total shock, but it does leave a gap that must be filled quickly and smartly.
Flekken had his critics, but he also had moments of quality. His distribution allowed Brentford to build from the back, and he played a vital role in Thomas Frank’s system. That said, inconsistency was always a concern. Losing him to Leverkusen may actually be a chance to upgrade in goal.
The links to Kelleher are exciting. Here’s a goalkeeper who’s been learning from the best at Liverpool and who deserves to be a starter. He’s agile, composed, and has Champions League experience under his belt. However, £20 million is steep. For a club like Brentford, every investment needs to hit, and Kelleher would need to deliver from day one.
What’s clear is that the club must act fast. With pre-season looming and a competitive market for keepers, standing still won’t be an option. The Flekken sale is smart business, but only if the next move matches the ambition.
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Leverkusen close to signing Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken in €10m transfer
Bayer Leverkusen are close to signing Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken in a transfer worth around €10million (£8.4m; $11.3m) The Bundesliga side had seen a €9m offer for the Netherlands international knocked back earlier this week, but are now set to seal an agreement for the 31-year-old. Brentford are among several Premier League clubs interested in the availability of Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. Jeremie Frimpong has signed for Liverpool, Jonathan Tah has moved to Bayern Munich and Florian Wirtz is also highly likely to depart the BayArena. Hertha Berlin midfielder Ibrahim Maza, who will be a player to watch next season, will also be on the club’s radar. CLICK HERE for all the latest transfer news with our live updates from the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, the Champions League, the Bundesliga Cup and more. Click here for more transfer news.
Leverkusen had seen a €9m offer for the Netherlands international knocked back earlier this week, but are now set to seal an agreement for the 31-year-old.
Separately, Brentford are among several Premier League clubs interested in the availability of Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who is valued by the Anfield club above £20m ($26.9m).
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Flekken, who kept 14 clean sheets across 74 Premier League appearances for Brentford, started his career in the academy of Dutch side Roda JC but has spent the bulk of his career in Germany with Freiburg, Duisburg, Greuther Furth and Alemannia Aachen.
He joined Brentford from German side Freiburg in May 2023 and succeeded Arsenal-bound David Raya as Thomas Frank’s No 1.
Last month, Leverkusen appointed former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag as their new head coach, succeeding Xabi Alonso following the latter’s move to Real Madrid.
The Bundesliga side are likely to have a busy summer transfer window after Jeremie Frimpong joined Liverpool, who are also in talks over a €130m move for playmaker Florian Wirtz, while Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah has joined Bayern Munich.
Flekken exit fits Brentford transfer strategy
Brentford never sell key players until they have lined up a replacement and the best example of this involved Flekken a couple of years ago. Towards the end of the 2022-23 season, David Raya rejected a couple of contract offers and made it clear in multiple interviews that he wanted to leave.
Brentford completed the signing of Flekken, who replaced Raya, in May. Raya did not join Arsenal, initially on loan before the deal was made permanent a year later, until August 2023.
Brentford broke their club-record to sign Igor Thiago from Club Brugge in February 2024 as a long-term replacement for Ivan Toney. Thiago officially joined that summer but Toney’s move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli was not completed until the final day of the window.
Flekken will be missed by Brentford but he is the oldest player in their starting XI by a couple of years. If they manage to sign Caoimhin Kelleher, they will be replacing him with someone who is much younger and can continue to develop. Kelleher represents the Republic of Ireland and could be tempted to link up with his international captain Nathan Collins.
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Brentford have a good relationship with Liverpool after they signed Sepp van den Berg and Fabio Carvalho from them last year.
Jay Harris
Flekken a smart deal for Leverkusen
Goalkeeper is an awkward position for Leverkusen. Lukas Hradecky is the club’s current number one and captain, but had a down season compared to the year before.
His shot-stopping was not quite at the same level. Xabi Alonso rotated in the role, allowing Matej Kovar to start regularly in the Champions League, but neither would be considered Bundesliga-leading players.
At 31, Flekken is not a project, but he is a more dependable shot-stopper and significantly better with the ball at his feet — the latter being of particular importance to incoming head-coach Erik ten Hag. But viewed from any angle, this would be an upgrade and a smart deal.
And perhaps it also shows a lesson learned. In the summer of 2024, Leverkusen responded to their league and cup double by deepening their squad, but not really improving their starting eleven. They raised their floor, rather than their ceiling, and in combination with injuries and bad luck, that left them underpowered when defending their domestic titles and while trying to compete in Europe.
Of course, the focus is currently on players leaving the BayArena. Jeremie Frimpong has signed for Liverpool, Jonathan Tah has moved to Bayern Munich, and Florian Wirtz is also highly likely to depart. But Leverkusen have already signed highly rated Hertha Berlin midfielder Ibrahim Maza, who will be a player to watch next season, and this is another positive step in their post-Alonso reinvention.
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor
(Top image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Brentford agree potential £18m deal for Liverpooland Ireland keeper Caoimhin Kelleher
Caoimhin Kelleher is set to join Brentford in a deal worth up to £18million. The Ireland international has a year left on his contract at Anfield. The Bees are also set to lose Mark Flekken to Bayer Leverkusen.
A reported initial fee of £12.5 million for the second-choice Liverpool goalkeeper can rise to £18 million if performance-related requirements are met.
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Ireland’s Kelleher, who has a year left on his contract at Anfield, played over a quarter of the champions’ Premier League matches this season when first-choice Alisson Becker was injured.
His move away from the Merseyside club has been heavily reported, with Giorgi Mamardashvili joining the club in July after Liverpool confirmed the signature of the Valencia keeper last summer.
Kelleher’s switch to west London comes with 31-year-old Bees keeper Mark Flekken set to join Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.
The transfer is the first of what is set to be a busy window at Gtech Community Stadium, with 20-goal winger Bryan Mbuemo expected to leave the club.
Liverpool keeper Kelleher set to join Brentford: reports
Caoimhin Kelleher is set to sign for Brentford in a deal that could rise to £18 million. The 26-year-old was backup to Liverpool’s first-choice keeper Alisson Becker during their Premier League title-winning campaign. Brentford have agreed an initial fee of £12.5 million that can rise to $24 million if performance-related requirements are met.
Kelleher was backup to Liverpool’s first-choice keeper Alisson Becker during their Premier League title-winning campaign this season.
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Although the Ireland international featured 10 times in the league when Alisson was injured, he was keen to leave Anfield in search of regular first-team action.
Brentford have agreed a reported initial fee of £12.5 million for Kelleher that can rise to £18 million if performance-related requirements are met.
Kelleher, who has a year left on his Liverpool contract, also attracted interest from Leeds, West Ham and Bournemouth.
He was the hero of Liverpool’s 2022 League Cup final triumph against Chelsea, making several fines saves and scoring a penalty in the 11-10 shoot-out victory.
Kelleher also started Liverpool’s 2024 League Cup final win against Chelsea.
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The 26-year-old will be replaced at Anfield by Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Mamardashvili will join up with Arne Slot’s side in time for next season after the Georgian agreed his move to the Reds last year.
Kelleher’s imminent switch to west London comes with Brentford keeper Mark Flekken set to join Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen in a £9 million deal.
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Brentford agree potential £18m deal for Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher
Caoimhin Kelleher has been linked with a £12.5m move to west London. The deal could rise to £18m if performance-related requirements are met. Ireland international played over a quarter of the champions’ Premier League matches this season.
Ireland’s Kelleher, who has a year left on his contract at Anfield, played over a quarter of the champions’ Premier League matches this season when first-choice Alisson Becker was injured.
Caoimhin Kelleher is your @carlsberg Player of the Match in our victory over RB Leipzig 🙌 pic.twitter.com/23BxuOJGol — Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 23, 2024
His move away from the Merseyside club has been heavily reported, with Giorgi Mamardashvili joining the club in July after Liverpool confirmed the signature of the Valencia keeper last summer.
Kelleher’s switch to west London comes with 31-year-old Bees keeper Mark Flekken set to join Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.
The transfer is the first of what is set to be a busy window at Gtech Community Stadium, with 20-goal winger Bryan Mbuemo expected to leave the club.
Source: https://eplindex.com/131552/brentford-agree-deal-with-bundesliga-side-over-summer-move.html