Portsmouth are closing in on a deal for Hajduk Split striker Nicola Kalinic.

The Times says Portsmouth moved closer to a deal to sign Kalinic last night as a replacement for Peter Crouch, who is expected to complete a move to Tottenham Hotspur today.

The forward, 21, is highly rated by Slaven Bilic, the Croatia coach, after scoring an average of nearly one goal in every two matches for Hajduk Split. Kalinic, who is expected to cost about £5 million, finished as the third-highest scorer in the Croatian league two seasons ago earning him a place in the squad for Euro 2008.

He has had loan spells at HNK Sibenik and NK Pula and would join Niko Kranjcar, his Croatia team-mate, at Fratton Park.