Nikola Kalinić will not be a member of Portsmouth FC this upcoming season. After traveling to England for a physical, Portsmouth cut ties with the Croatian striker and will not sign Kalinić.
Does this have anything to do with Portsmouth pursuing Egyptian striker Amr Zaki?
Kalinić and his manager Tomislav Erceg are now in contact with Portuguese champions FC Porto.
ORIGINAL REPORT
Net.hr and Index.hr have reported that Nikola Kalinić is now officially the newest member of Portsmouth. The deal between the English club and Hajduk is worth €7.5 million. However, Hajduk has to pay Kalinić 25% of that figure based on his last contract with them. Let’s see what they do with the cash.
Niko Kranjčar had a large part to do with this deal as he pushed Portsmouth management to sign Kalinić, who has been given “The Future of Croatian football” title by coach Slaven Bilić. After Portsmouth officials met with Kalinić and his agent over the weekend in Split, the deal to make Kalinić the new #1 striker for Pompey is now a reality.
Let’s see what the kid can do now.
@Dinamofan
"Well basically for anyone who thinks Blackburn is not good enough for Kalinic, perhaps if Kalinic hadn't rushed his transfer and stayed one more year at Hajduk he'd have got better offers. "
Excellent point. I totally agree. No one to blame but himself. Going from HNL to the premiership is always a plus. I still think Kale is overrated. However, wish him the best of luck. Another player to write about in Croatians Around Europe.
Well basically for anyone who thinks Blackburn is not good enough for Kalinic, perhaps if Kalinic hadn't rushed his transfer and stayed one more year at Hajduk he'd have got better offers. I'm look at Mandzo. The way he is playing for Dinamo and Croatia at moment will only enhance his reputation and bring the right kind of club to make a offer. Same with Vrucina and Sharbini's. Both those players will not rue having not left this summer.
I think the situation is different to Portsmouth. Blackburn have the cash. They have monies obtained from sales of Bentley, Santa Cruz and Derbyshire which amounts to near £30m and have barely spent any of it. They can easily send this transfer through. I've heard Kale has already agreed personal terms and had a medical.
Well, it looks like Kalinic will sign with Blackburn. CSR will bring you the story as soon as he signs. After what happened with Portsmouth, Ante and I are here on stand-by until he officially signs the contract.
I think what clubs are telling Hajduk and Kalinic is that he has to do more for them to pay £5m plus for him. Thus far two decent seasons in HNL with most of his goals coming from penalties doesn't seem enough. He should follow Ibricic's example and get out there and get playing. He's already missed so much of pre season. All this oh he might get injured business is nonsense. There is many players out there up for transfer i.e Xavi Alonso, Oba Martins etc but they are still playing preseason. In January if Kalinic does what he normally does and gets scoring in HNL and maybe bags a few in Europe as he is registered then maybe more teams might be interested. Just seems to be like he is coming over rather desperate at the moment and is trying to force a transfer. I think Hajduk should tell him that he's had his little spell of messing about looking for a transfer. He's still under contract with Hajduk so he should go back to the fundamentals which playing in HNL1. Mandzo hasn't complained at dinamo's refusal to allow him to transfer. For Kalinic playing will help his cause.
I am to the point now that I want our national team to succeed first and then our club teams. If that means that our younger players (gabric, Kalinic, Mandzukic, etc) are better off playing in another league, then let it be. Hajduk and Dinamo dont have the good to do much in europe, especially Hajduk.
I may agree with you about Cernat but he is a Hajduk player whether you want him there or not. Basically if he sits there in reserve all season collecting his half a million that'll prob make you even more narked. Basically just like with us and Papa, Hajduk should have certain performance expectations in return for the wages they are giving.
I wouldn't mind seeing Gabric go to Trabzonspor and Hajduk accepting that offer as i think Gabric would do better out there, plus there league is stronger than our league so it'd help his development. Obviously as a Hajduk fan you're not gonna want to see Gabric go, but i think he is prob fit to transfer abroad now and prob will benefit more than staying in HNL1.
Cernat not playing because he is not in shape. Hajduk signs out of shape players and pays them half a million to play in the cro league. Geniouses!!!
RE: Cernat not starting for Hajduk today?
While I am admittedly not in tune with everything that goes on at Hajduk, this strikes me as a bit of a surprise, or perhaps I should say a worrisome disappointment.
Oh well, we'll see how that get on without him.
Mali Ticinovic deserves to play. I like the kid and I want to see if he is the real deal or not.
Have no fears, Hajduk always seems to find a way to destroy young talent. Amazing they didnt fuck up Gabric, but having your old man within the club sure helps.
Tomasav looks like a big pile of nothing, but at least they are playing and giving him the chance to prove if he is aplayer or not
Kalinic maybe should have a think and consider that just playing with Hajduk Split even in possible Europa Liga competition will be the best way to get a transfer rather than trying to force it. Why not leave in January. I also have no idea why Hajduk want the money up front which has turned off Bologna, Zaragoza and now Pompey.
If Hajduk needed the money they could have accepted Trabzonspors bid for Gabric and kept Kalinic till January. They already have Cernat to cover Gabric's position anyway. Hajduk have already stated to Kalinic they are happy to wait till January. Am sure after scoring around 8 between now and January he'll find it easier to transfer.
Plus we need a rival this year in HNL and feels like no pressure is coming from Split this year. Also read Ajax are looking to loan out Darko Bodul for the year. How about Hajduk taking him? Also Hajduk fans i heard saying Ticinovic should be sent out on loan rather than losing fitness whilst on bench.
I think you need a new article on Kalinic.
Apparently he's in Portugal now. I actually think he'll be a success in Portugal and will grow into a better player. He can certainly score over 10 goals out there. Pompey seem to be looking at cheaper options like Zaki, Viduka and McCormack. What this should state to Niko Kranjcar is that he needs to leave as the owners money looks to be going into the new stadium probably and not into making a competitive team.
Kalinic prob U turned when he heard of Porto's interest as its a better club. Hajduk quite frankly could do with the money so they can sign a replacement. Interested to see how Hajduk get along today and see if an future striking star emerges or not.
I think its just Blazevic poking fun at us and our inability to select him. Sharbini prob realises that he can make this Croatia squad at some point soon. Bilic does have a way of winding players up though by not calling them when there on form.
If he would consider an offer from BIH, then I dont want him in the first place. Plus, is he even eligible for BiH citzenship.
Well i don't think Anas can be counted on in the defensive side of pitch, but he can run a game just like Modric and Kranjcar can. Anas has a hell of a shot as well which Rakitic has but doesn't use, Modric doesn't have at all and Kranjcar does use, but not often. Sharbini is ready i think for his call. There is no problem having another playmaker or goalscoring mid on the bench. We don't need 4 defensive mids which is what we have just now – even though Gabric and Corluka can both play defensive mid in a crisis if he really needs a 4th defensive mid. 3 should be enough which means Anas should be on the bench. I'm also getting tense about us losing him to Bosnia so a call up is required sooner rather than later. He should have already been tied up as a Croatia player as Kranjcar was never fit to face Ukraine and should not have been in that squad.
hmm, interesting. So maybe Anas can fill the big empty boots Niko Kovac left behind. But that spot takes alot of experience, doesn't it? I'm not saying he should be the captain, I'm saying the midfield needs that Boban/N Kovac presence.
Nothing is expected of the Brazilian kids this season. I think Vukusic is under too much pressure as well. Rodic is a signing they didn't need to make really, but guess he adds depth with Busic and Bartolovic gone.
I'm sure Hajduk will buy. Zec is heavily linked. Ahmad Sharbini will be the more certain to succeed. Zec has just been good for one season so far. I have a certain amount of scepticism about players that have high fees after just one good year. Hajduk should definitely not give them £3m. Zec is worth £1.5 to 2 tops plus they can send someone over to Sibernik on loan in the deal. Am sure they have someone Sibernik would like to take like Sacer. As for sacking Marian Buljat that was simply daft. Now they have no attack minded right back.
RE: Who'll score for Hajduk? Senijad Ibričić says "Zabit ćemo ja ili Paraiba!"
Nope Kalinic not scored a goal ever for Croatia. That's Klasnic your thinking of. Kalinic has barely played a match for Croatia. He played some uninspiring games in lead up to Euro – then was given a run out against Poland where he didn't touch the ball and that's about it. Despite this he has been in every squad during the space of a year and not been playing with the Under 21's which is where he should have been. He's been a Croatia international who has been hidden from view. However all Portsmouth see is his name in the Croatia squad and Bilic's recommendation of him as the future of Croatian football and that's good enough for them. Don't get me wrong i wish him all the best in England, but thus far he's not scored in a Croatia shirt or scored for Hajduk against any decent side so he has a lot to prove. It'll all be new to him in England, but at least good for him to have took that step.
Well regards Ahmed Sharbini he needs to prove nothing. He's already walloped the HNL in his previous stint at Rijeka. We already know he is too good for HNL1. All Ahmed needs to do is not making stupid transfers like going to the deep abyss with is Middle Eastern or North African football. If he finds a normal club he'll be fine.
As for Anas well 14 goals last season is just 1 behind Kalinic. Kalinic is a striker and Anas is a midfielder. Anas scores great goals – creates and generally runs his teams like Boban used to. So basically he's shown more than Kalinic in my opinion. Sharbini is gonna find it tougher as he's at Rijeka who go unnoticed. He needs a big performance against Metalist and am sure that'll get the clubs phoning his agent.
That Poland game was meaningless. We already were advancing and Bilic played the bench in that game.
Kalinic has plenty of questions to answer to determine if he is national team material.
Kalinic did score for us against Poland, didn't he? Isn't that enough to show he can score?
As for the Sharbini's, they need to prove themselves this year. Mandzukic is already getting attention from clubs because he's been playing very well. He's shown he can play well under pressure.
I just hope Kalinic's transfer sparks a few transfers in Croatia. Ahmad Sharbini, Zec or Vrucina to Hajduk so they can at least try and keep with us.
Then hopefully Anas Sharbini to a nice club abroad. He'll need a scorcer against Metalist perhaps though to secure that. Come on Bilic why can't you try your best to get Sharbini a move just like you're doing with Kale and Mandza. Must have the wrong agent or something.
Then Rijeka can pick up a lot of players that need their careers reviving like Ljubojevic, Poljak and Lovrek. Rijeka turned the careers of Djalovic, Vugrinec and Mikic around so they can take a chance or two on a misfit. Seems their speciality to make duds come good. Personally i pay little attention to the current form of Sharbini's. I know they can do it. Just no point in continuing to keep showing Croats there good. Is time for them to go abroad or in Ahmads case to a bigger Croatian club or off to a midtable German/ French side or top top Belgian team.
However Kalinic will be in Portsmouth tomorrow and the money will be put back in HNL.
Its not pessimism. I've never particularly liked Kalinic. i think he was fast tracked from the Under 21 team in order to give him caps to bump up his price and he's been kept from view by Bilic so we never get to see how good he is. Now Kalinic has gone at least he is no longer protected. If he flops in England everyone will call for him to be dropped. I don't like this kinda favoritism to be honest.
i also think he's only 21 and he has forced Hajduk to sell him and left them with a goalscoring mess to clear up. However thanks to Bilic he is down as a regular Croatian international and that's allowed them to command such a big fee as surely his penalty kick goalscoring can't be worth that much. I don't believe a guy that's barely turned 21 should be doing what Kalinic has done though to his club.
However I think he's got such a big opportunity at Portsmouth. He will get games and we'll see how he does. Like Istina said me i too have no idea how he'll do. I'll just be quiet and watch.
Where's this pessimism coming from? Is ziva rubbing off on you guys? Kalinic will do well.
Add to that Ross McCormack who is a Scottish international who arrives for similar money from Cardiff. Kalinic is certain to get game. Its up to him basically to show everyone what he's made of apart from water, blood and bones and all that stuff. He has everything set out for him – its all on his ability.
It looks like kalinic will have some competition as portsmouth look to have signed amri zaki, whos not a bad striker. Hell have to step it up right away.
I have no clue if Kalinic will make it in the EPL or not. He better make the most of his chances early on because this new owner sure looks like he will spend money. So, if Kalinic does not produce you can bet Portsmouth will buy more strikers during the January transfer period.
@Ziva Istina
Bologna and Zaragoza were in the mix?
I hope I am wrong, but Kalinic will struggle in the greatest league in the world. Scoring 2+ goals would be a success for the kid.
Zaragoza had the higher bid between them and Bologna, but wanted to pay the 6 million in 3 installments. Hajduk did not want to go that route.
Bologna and Zaragoza were bidding 6 million pound. What really? Do they even have that much money to waste on a unproven player. They don't usually pitch in at that kinda fee. Sounds a bit wierd to me, but i'll take your word for it.
This info from a birdie who has access to the hajduk front office…….Zaragoza and Bolgna were not bidding at the 3 million level, it was much higher. Zaragoza was up to 6 million, but they were asking if they could pay it off in 3 installments over a 2-year period.
Bologna was offering between 5 and 6 million.
Kalinic was on his way out no matter what. At the end of the transfer period he and his agent (erceg) would have accepted the offer from Moscow for 9-10 million euros. The kid did not want to go to russia and that was his last option. Tons of transfer deals get done in the last few days of the transfer window and erceg was confident kalinic would be sold.
RE; Leko linked with Portsmouth
I remember reading it a week or two back. I can't remember where. I think what is happening is he is being offered to clubs in England as his Monaco days are over with him only having a year on his contract. They also spent £2m on a replacement today in Olifanjana. I think he has been offered to Stoke, Blackburn, Wolves and Portsmouth. The first three regards him as too expensive, but Portsmouth is a different story as we seen with Kalinic.
Regards Hajduk sticking to their guns. Lets look at this from a financial point of view. If Bologna and Zaragoza only bid around £3m mark why on earth would a side want to bid as much as Portsmouth have done. They are absolutely crackers. They have doubled the fee of their nearest bidder. Regards Hajduk its just been a case of that if you wait long enough some dopey club will come along eventually. Personally i don't think that fee does Kalinic any favours. He's already made life hard for himself by demanding a move abroad so early. All Croatia is waiting to see if he is as good as he thinks or just the new Balaban who can score easily in mediocre leagues but no higher.
RE: Kalinic deal
I know Hajduk's not going to pocket the entire 7.5 million but I believe they deserve some credit here.
I recall reading earlier that the club was being foolish for not accepting less lucrative offers from other clubs for Kalinic. In other words, the suggestion was the club was overvaluing Kalinic and simply being unrealistic.
Well, it seems the club's patience has been rewarded.
Well done Hajduk for sticking to your guns!
Yes it's OFFICIAL!!
The Portsmouth website is very outdated btw. I think they're current headline right now is "Crouch coming to Pompey!"
done deal…7.5 million euroes
RE: Kalinic to Portsmouth
Portsmouth have nothing of this on their website.
Is this a done deal?
Btw, croatiafan:), where are the rumours of Leko and Portsmouth coming from? I haven't seen anything on that one.
Portsmouth being linked with Benjani as well, but i don't think he could keep out Kalinic either. Kranjcar was playing behind one striker Crouch last season so that's partly why Gekas didn't play – plus Gekas was signed by Adams rather than Hart and Hart was not interested in him.
I'm not sure they will get too many more strikers in as they have so many positions to fill. Kranjcar is the only star they have left with Crouch and Davis both going this summer. Niko is waiting till his contract runs out as he knows it'll be easier to get a good transfer as a free agent than whilst under contract. I think Gekas is what Istina would call a washed up Greek. His career has followed same path as Papa. I've got no idea where he is heading.
There is some talk Crouch's transfer will involve Giovanni and Chimbonda arriving. Giovanni is a midfielder/ striker, but not sure he'll play ahead of Kalinic if he does arrive.
Yes, Kalinic will be a starter, but who knows- look at Gekas, who was top Bundesliga scorer at Leverkusen(with 24-26 goals) and was signed by Portsmouth last year yet he hasn't even made an appearance! I'm not saying that anything like that will happen to Kalinic but he will need to produce, from the beginning. No matter the alternatives ( and I'm certain Portsmouth will buy another striker this summer), he'll only get so many starts before he's benched if he doesn't perform(5-6 w/o scoring). He won't have the luxury of being gradually introduced over the season as a sub the way Niko was so he better adapt quickly. Whatever the case, the fact is we'll see the charectar of the player in the coming months…
i think Ahmed can replace Kalinic. I think he prob can outscore Kalinic. Hajduk will definitely have to put a decent offer on the table though. £1m plus player should seal it. As for Anas well its a bizarre thing why he's not already left HNL. The guy has done all that's needed to get a transfer. I think he deserves a move more than Mandza and Kalinic. He was only a couple of goals behind them last season yet he plays in midfield.
Hat Trick for Anas and Ahmed
Kalinic is a definite starter for Portsmouth. At this moment in time there is nobody else. It also looks like they are in the business of trying to keep Kranjcar and signing Kalinic is part of keeping him happy. I think they may afford him one more transfer. Leko's been linked with Portsmouth as well. I think Portsmouth believe that if they sign a few Croats they will keep Niko for this season.
I expect Crouch will go to Spurs. Bent is strongly tipped to go to Sunderland and Redknapp is not totally keen on Payvulchenko who is admired by Stuggart who haven't got Mario Gomez replacement yet.
Question is now who will Hajduk fans like to see replace Kalinic. Saturday showed that they desperately need someone and don't have a replacement in there club. Few of the options:
ERMIN ZEC – Certain to leave Sibernik, but will Hajduk want to spend £2m on him.
GORAN LJUBOJEVIC – Cheap free transfer signing having not signed a new deal with Genk. Prior to a serious injury Ljubojevic was firing in the Belgian league.
KRUNO LOVREK – Released by Eskirespor following injury hit season. Was flying in HNL1 with Zagreb until serious injury in indoor winter competition. As a proven HNL player though may be just what Hajduk need without being a expensive mistake if it don't work out.
MATIJA SMREKAR – Promising Under 21 international that showed glimpses of quality at Varteks, but is yet to have a season that would give confidence he can replace Kalinic.
AHMED SHARBINI – Rijeka's very prolific HNL player with vast experience. Probably would replace Kalinic and wouldn't be as expensive as Zec.
BOJAN VRUCINA – Seems sets to stay with Slaven Belupo as he tied to contract. Belupo also don't need to sell having recently cashed in on Jajalo and Lapic.
looks like crouch to spurs is a done deal.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=663182&sec=transfers&campaign=rss&source=soccernet&cc=5901
He would be starting for them wouldnt he?
I hear they are selling Crouch to Tottenham