Aston Villa edge closer to new number one goalkeeper with ambitious £7m bid
Drew Bartle Head Sports Editor
Aston Villa fans could soon be getting a Croatian international goalkeeper with 16 senior caps – with a report in the Telegraph claiming that Gent goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic is on the verge of penning an agreement with the Championship side.
The report suggests that the 28-year old goalkeeper is at the Villa training ground today and will have a medical and finalise contract terms, ahead of a transfer that will go through on January 1st 2019. Kalinic apparently flew into Birmingham on Wednesday ahead of the planned move.
Villa have been arguably weakened between the sticks since the departure of Sam Johnstone in the summer, who was on-loan from Manchester United, so it’s no surprise that manager Dean Smith has moved swiftly to bring in more experience.
Lovre Kalinic is set to cost around £7 million with Gent holding out for as much as possible for their number one.
Interestingly Kalinic almost signed for Aston Villa a few seasons back when they were in the Premier League – and the club will hope that second time around the keeper can be a key signing that kicks the club back on to the top flight.
