According to Il Secolo XIX, Sampdoria are interested in the services of Lovre Kalinic. The Italian outfit are keen to sign an alternative for first choice ‘keeper Emil Audero, and the Aston Villa star has been identified as their desired target. The report claims Kalinic wants to leave the Villa Park, having lost his place to Tom Heaton in the first team this season.
Kalinic’s spell at Aston Villa so far
Kalinic raised eyebrows with his performances at KAA Genk in the Belgian top flight. He was, in fact, one of the best goalkeepers in the Jupiler Pro League during the 2017/18 campaign. But, it wasn’t until January 2019 that the Croatian international moved to Aston Villa, for a fee of €6 million.
However, Kalinic didn’t exactly fare well in the Championship. He kept just one clean sheet in his seven games with Aston Villa. As a result, he was dropped from the starting lineup, and an unfortunate Cartilage damage saw Jed Steer become the number one ‘keeper for the Villans during the remainder of the 2018/19 campaign.
Steer kept an impressive six clean sheets and was involved in an incredible run that saw Aston Villa secure ten wins in a row during the final phase of the campaign. Kalinic, meanwhile, returned from injury and started on the bench in the final league game of the season against Norwich City.
Does Kalinic have any future at Aston Villa?
Steer’s lack of experience in the Premier League forced Aston Villa to invest in a new goalkeeper this summer in Tom Heaton. The 33-year-old arrived from Burnley for a fee of €8 million and has become the first choice ‘keeper for Dean Smith’s side.
Heaton has started in all three of Aston Villa’s games in the Premier League so far. It’s also unlikely he will be relieved of his role as the number one ‘keeper for the Villans anytime soon either. And this could make things difficult for both Kalinic and Steer as well as Orjan Nyland.
Should Aston Villa offload Kalinic?
Aston Villa have no less than four viable goalkeeping options at the moment. And offloading Kalinic, to that end, might not be a bad idea due to multiple reasons.
First and foremost, the 29-year-old could lose significant valuation if he continues to spend time on the bench. That means the Villans could run the risk of suffering a massive loss, having signed the Croatian for a fee of €6 million earlier this year.
Secondly, the departure of Kalinic should boost Villa’s financial situation, after an eventful summer transfer window that saw them spend almost €150 million. But most importantly, the Croatian international doesn’t have a future at the club, with Heaton seemingly becoming the club’s number one ‘keeper. Hence, a move to Sampdoria makes sense.
