Premier League champions Leicester City would need to cough up £30million should they wish to sign striker Nikola Kalinic from Italy Serie A side Fiorentina (Leicester Mercury). The 28-year-old Croatian largely struggled to make an impact during his stint at Blackburn Rovers between 2009 and 2011.
Claudio Ranieri is keen on strengthening his Foxes squad ahead of next season, where they will also compete with Europe’s elite in the UEFA Champions League. Although Kalinic failed to fire during his last spell in England, he has been the complete opposite ever since.
It is understood that Fiorentina plan on selling at least two of their strikers this summer. Former Leicester, Swansea and QPR manager Paulo Sousa, who now coaches Fiorentina, could be about to lose the Croatian international. The 28-year-old played twice for his country at Euro 2016.
Tomislav Erceg, Kalinic’s agent, confirmed that Leicester are interested in the striker,
“It’s true, we are aware of interest from Leicester.
“It is all open, but there is no rush, as the transfer market has only just begun.”
After moving to Ewood Park for £6million from Hajduk Split in August 2009, it would take Kalinic until January 2010 to score his first Premier League goal. However he did manage five cup goals before that. His final appearance in a Blackburn jersey came against rivals Bolton Wanderers in April 2011 in a 1-0 victory.
