Player ‘convinced’ move can now happen after transfer to Aston Villa failed last time

Lovre Kalinic is very much one who got away for Aston Villa.

The 28 year old goalkeeper almost moved to the Midlands club but saw his dream transfer scuppered over work permit issues. Remaining at Gent, Kalinic has continued to impress for the Belgium club and hasn’t forgotten his dream of moving to English football.

In their Monday edition, Belgian newspaper HLN report Kalinic has been given assurances he can leave this summer, and Gent are currently looking for a replacement for the Croatian stopper.

Kalinic’s ‘dream destination’ is the Premier League and he’s ‘convinced’ there’ll be no scenario similar to what happened with Aston Villa, and a work permit won’t be a problem for the move.

Whilst Gent are content to let the goalkeeper go in the next window, they are yet to receive any ‘concrete offers’ and that makes their own search for a replacement a little more complicated.

Aston Villa currently have Sam Johnstone in goal and it’s expected there’ll try to make his stay permanent in the summer, but if Kalinic is really available without work permit hassles, and would fancy an Aston Villa move again, then it’s certainly something to consider.