Gent goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic is expected to undergo a medical at Aston Villa’s Bodymoor Heath Training Ground today (Thursday), according to the Telegraph.
The newspaper claims that the 28-year-old Croatia international arrived in Birmingham on Wednesday after Villa reached an advanced stage of talks to sign him from Gent in a deal worth £7million.
It is understood that Kalinic is expected to complete his switch to Villa Park before this weekend’s clash against Leeds United, but he will be unable to play for the West Midlands club until the transfer window re-opens next month.
Good move for Aston Villa?
One of the major weaknesses that Aston Villa have is their poor options in goal, and Dean Smith will be confident that Kalinic can be a major upgrade on Orjan Nyland, who has been awful this season.
Nyland has been responsible for the Villains conceding so many goals and it was a no-brainer for Smith to sign a new shot-stopper at the first available opportunity.
Kalinic is currently Croatia’s number one, which isn’t bad considering they were runners-up at the World Cup in the summer, and his 6ft 7in frame means that he is going to be like a brick wall in between the sticks.
This is Futbol rating 9/10
Likely to happen?
Villa are in advanced talks with Gent to sign Kalinic, but the two clubs must be very confident of reaching an agreement before January if Kalinic is already in the West Midlands and due to undergo a medical.
Smith will be eager for this deal to go through and fans should expect this one to be tied up very soon.
This is Futbol rating 10/10