According to The Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa are planning a bid for Croatia and K.A.A. Gent goalkeeper Lovre Kalinić. 

The 6ft 7 shot stopper has been linked with The Villans in the past, but looks close to securing the move now in January, which will surely be to the delight of many Aston Villa fans.

The goalkeeper featured for his nation in this year's World Cup, earning a runners-up medal in the process, and will surely want to progress his career from the Belgian Pro League, and Aston Villa may be the perfect chance for him to do so.

While he may be an unknown quantity to many Villa fans, they would surely welcome him ahead of their current 'keeper Ørjan Nyland, who has not covered himself in glory so far this season. The Norway international simply makes too many mistakes for a club that are chasing promotion.

While this would be a very good signing indeed for Villa, this indicates something much more promising for the fans. This is a clear sign that manager Dean Smith has got his priorities straight when it comes to the transfer market. Too often clubs at the very highest level of football are caught out by not focusing on the right personnel to bring in. By turning his attention to a new 'keeper, Smith certainly has the right idea as to where his team are weakest at this moment in time. With the addition of another centre-back, or two, Smith would show that he is very savvy when it comes to the transfer market.