Exclusive: West Ham turn attention to signing £7m Aston Villa man, Smith willing to sell

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Published on:

15 Jan 2020, 1:30 am

West Ham have turned their attention to signing Aston Villa back-up goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic this month, Football Insider has learned.

The Hammers are weighing up alternatives to Darren Randolph after a move to prise him from Middlesbrough stalled due to a thigh injury he's been carrying for two months.

A West Ham source has told Football Insider that Kalinic is on their target list as they look to bring in a new keeper before the 31 January transfer cut-off.

The Croatia international, 29, is regarded as an experienced alternative to Cardiff City's Neil Etheridge.

As revealed by Football Insider, West Ham have submitted a bid of £6million rising to a potential £7m for Etheridge.

Aston Villa are ready to sell Kalinic this month despite an injury crisis in goal that has deprived them of number one Tom Heaton for the rest of the season and his deputy Jed Steer until at least next month.

Manager Dean Smith has no intention of reintegrating Kalinic into his side after a series of poor performances following his £7million arrival 12 months ago.

He has made only eight Villa appearances since he joined and has not played for the club since being substituted at half-time in February.

Villa signed Pepe Reina on loan from AC Milan earlier this week and he is set to compete with Orjan Nyland to be first choice at least until Steer and Heaton are fit again.

In other West Ham news, it can be REVEALED that the club have submitted a £7million bid in new transfer twist.

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