Having struggled to make a positive impact last season, Nikola Kalinic is reportedly on the verge of leaving AC Milan in a €15m deal to join Atletico Madrid.
The 30-year-old joined the Rossoneri from Fiorentina last summer, and given his track record and experience in Serie A, he was expected to offer a reliable source of goals up front to also ease the burden on the younger forwards in the squad.
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Unfortunately for Milan, it didn’t work out that way as he managed just six goals and six assists in 41 appearances in all competitions, and it would appear as though he won’t be given a second season at the San Siro to prove his worth.
As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, he flew out to the Spanish capital on Tuesday to complete his move to join Atleti in a €15m deal, while Calciomercato now report that he has passed his medical.
In turn, it seems as though an announcement could be imminent over his arrival for the La Liga giants, who seemingly have seen enough in his performances to believe that he can be a useful addition for Diego Simeone in the upcoming campaign.
As for Milan, having signed Gonzalo Higuain from Juventus last month, the Argentine international will be expected to lead the line for Gennaro Gattuso’s side and with a record of 146 goals in 251 games since moving to Italy, he could be the prolific forward that they’ve needed.
Youngster Patrick Cutrone, Andre Silva and Carlos Bacca will offer depth and competition, albeit the latter spent last season out on loan at Villarreal and so it remains to be seen whether or not he has a future under Gattuso at Milan.