Kalinic is signing of things to come for Villa Boss Smith hopeful of attracting more talent after deal with Croatia number one
DEAN Smith is hoping the signing of Lovre Kalinic can kick off a January transfer window which will only strengthen Aston Villa’s growing promotion ambitions.
Croatia number one Kalinic’s capture was made official last Friday after he agreed to make the move from Belgian club Gent.
It’s Smith’s first signing since he was appointed manager in October, and though he admitted a second new face isn’t imminent at the moment, he’s optimistic that he can increase competition for places through the entire squad when the window officially opens on January 1.
“We’ve got many irons in the fire, that we’re looking to enhance the squad with, but nothing that we’re close with at the moment,” Smith said.
“Permanent [deals, rather than loan] would be the ideal situation for us. If it has to be a loan, we wouldn’t turn our nose up at it.
“The one thing that we want to do with each signing is to improve the squad.
“The Croatia number one goalkeeper will do that for us and push Orjan [Nyland], but we need other players to come in and push the other players in the squad and make it a really competitive squad to push on in this league.”
Smith was effusive as he spoke of his relationship with chief executive Christian Purslow and sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch.
When it comes to transfers, the trio are constantly in contact and Smith believes they complement one another.
“Myself, Suso and Christian work very well together. We have our own WhatsApp group talking about players and we regularly Face Time each other,” he continued.
“Suso has a great array of contacts throughout the game, after working at Atletico and Valencia.
“He’s got a wealth of experience. Myself, JT (John Terry), Richard (O’Kelly) and Neil (Cutler) have knowledge of the English game and the unique system in recruitment I worked with at Brentford.
“We’re getting our heads together all the time and it’s working very well. To get someone in as early as we have done is a big plus for us.”
Smith has explained to current No.1 Nyland that Kalinic has been recruited to ‘raise the competitiveness in the goalkeeping department’.
“It’s been on the radar for the last three or four weeks,” he said. “We’re really pleased to have got him in. He’s the Croatian number one, one that we’ve targeted and thankfully Jesus has got the deal done. Myself and Neil Cutler have had a good look at him for quite a while.
“I’m glad nothing came out about it until Thursday. There was a big smokescreen over it so we didn’t alert anyone else to him coming!
“I’ve spoken to Orjan and it should raise the competitiveness in the goalkeeping department to where we need it at a club of this size and push us on.”
Smith reckons Kalinic has the ability and the attitude to make him a good fit for Villa.
He added: “He’s 6ft 7, he commands his box, he distributes really well, he’s good with both feet and he’s got a great presence about him. He’s a good personality and he’s one that will fit in straight away. I don’t believe you can sign anyone and be eligible for January 1 so his first game probably will be in the FA Cup.”