Slaven Bilic had ‘enormous interest’ in signing Ivo Grbic but Atletico Madrid hijacked the deal as soon as West Bromwich Albion made an offer for the highly-rated goalkeeper, according to Goal.
The Baggies boss is not often a man to keep things to himself.
Speaking to IndexHK earlier this week, Bilic was in no mood to play down speculation linking Grbic with a move to the Midlands.
“I watched Ivo Grbic, he is a top goalkeeper. I will try everything, but I am not confident,” the former Croatia boss said.
The reason behind Bilic’s pessimism, it must be said, was Atletico Madrid’s interest in a man who has attracted plenty of admiring glances thanks to his standout showings for Lokomotiva last season.
With Grbic expected to be unveiled by the Champions League quarter-finals sooner rather than later, Goal have shed more light on why the Baggies have missed out.
They say that Atletico jumped to the front of the queue almost as soon as West Brom made an opening offer for the 6ft 4ins shot-stopper.
Grbic is now heading to Madrid to undergo a medical at the Wanda Metropolitano with his £5 million move to one of Spain’s biggest clubs nearing completion.
The Croatia U21 international will apparently replace Sporting Lisbon-bound Antonio Adan as Jan Oblak’s ‘number two’.
Back at West Brom, meanwhile, Sam Johnstone can breathe an almighty sigh of relief with his place in Bilic’s starting XI safe for now.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
