Mark Hughes admits that interest in Gabe Breeze is inevitable – but Carlisle United have not yet received any “concrete” approaches.

The young Cumbrian goalkeeper’s progress was one of the few plus points from the Blues’ 2024/25 season.

Advertisement

Breeze is in line to start the National League campaign as United’s No1 despite head coach Hughes saying “a lot of clubs” are monitoring the 21-year-old.

The Blues boss is urging Breeze to remain focused on enjoying his football at Brunton Park right now.

“I think we're honest in saying there's a lot of clubs that have looked at Gabe and rightly so, because he had an outstanding season last year and that clearly raised his profile – credit to him for that,” said Hughes, speaking to BBC Radio Cumbria at a recent press conference.

“Our view is that he's the young keeper that would benefit more readily staying with us.

Advertisement

“He's just starting out on his journey in terms of league football. [That’s] my advice to him, and he's obviously very much attached to this club given his association with it.

“I think he's quite comfortable. There will be interest, and conversations have been had with people who have enquired. Nothing concrete, nothing in terms of offers or bids.

Carlisle United: consultants still working with club after review

“We wouldn't encourage them this year but I'm sure at some point some club may well feel that it's worth the possibility of pushing an opportunity like that, of bringing a good young keeper like Gabe to their club a little bit further, and testing the water.”

Advertisement

Breeze has two years left on his deal with the Blues and Hughes said there are no current talks around the prospect of extending those terms.

“We're not talking in that light at the moment as far as I'm aware.

“Really it's more about just getting ready for this season. We'll see what will happen. He's a young man in a strong position so we'll have to wait and see.”

Hughes, meanwhile, says Breeze must continue to keep his standards high given the challenge from Harry Lewis for the United goalkeeping slot.

Breeze took Lewis’s place last autumn but Hughes said the former Bradford City man remains a quality contender.

Advertisement

Harry Lewis (Image: Ben Holmes)

“I'm very fortunate – I've got a group of goalkeepers that work exceptionally hard and do great work during the working week with [coach] Jack Cudworth,” said Hughes.

“The goalkeeping group is really strong and healthy.

“I think the reason Gabe did so well last year was because he knew that Harry was ready to step in, and he's an exceptional goalkeeper himself.

“That challenge is why Gabe had to perform at the level he did. He knows he has to keep coming forward and progressing because there's an exceptional keeper pushing him hard from below.”

Also in the goalkeeping ranks at Carlisle is Jude Smith, but he is currently sidelined after an operation. Teenager Thomas Randall is also on the books, with Northern League Division One club Penrith eyeing a possible work experience loan deal.