Nikola Kalinic is one step closer to a move to Atlético Madrid

It’s being reported that Nikola Kalinic is on his way to Spain to join Atlético Madrid, with a medical scheduled for tomorrow.

This shouldn’t be surprising, of course, as Kalinic’s future at AC Milan had been in doubt for weeks, and with the addition of Gonzalo Higuain from Juventus, his departure was almost certain.

Kalinic will not be the featured striker at Atléti, as the club still has Antonio Greizmann and Diego Costa on the roster, but they look to be moving Kevin Gamerio on to another club as well, with Sevilla being a rumored destination for the forward.

Kalinic earned infamy this summer after being sent home from the World Cup by eventual finalists Croatia after reportedly refusing to enter a match as a substitute. The Croatia manager claimed that Kalinic was injured, but he came into Milan preseason a few weeks later just fine, so that of that what you will.

Milan fans will shed no tears to see Kalinic go, as he was fairly underwhelming during his time at the San Siro. With the emergence of Patrick Cutrone, and the acquisition of Higuain, a player like Kalinic, who seemed to be barely bothered to play for much of the season, move on is absolutely the right thing to do. Kalinic didn’t seem like he wanted to be at Milan, and Milan fans didn’t seem to want him at Milan either. It’s best for everyone that he moves on with a fresh start in La Liga.

Of course, if Kalinic thinks he’s in for an easier time at Atléti with Diego Simeone in charge than what he’s had a Milan under Gennaro Gattuso, he seems like he will be sorely mistaken. If there is any other coach that has a bigger reputation as what the English call a “hard man” than Rino Gattuso, it’s Simeone.

So good luck Kalinic, you’ll need it.