Newcastle United reportedly wanted to sign Nikola Vlasic on loan from Premier League rivals Everton, now he’s starring for CSKA in the Champions League
Newcastle United could really do with a player capable of carving open opposition defences right now.
Rafa Benitez’s toothless Tynesiders are stuck in the Premier League’s relegation zone and going nowhere fast, having picked up just two points and scored four goals in their first seven games of the current campaign.
Benitez hasn’t been helped by Newcastle’s failure, once again, to secure his top targets. And one of those, Nikola Vlasic, is starting to show just what a great signing he could have been at St James’ Park.
According to The Mail, Newcastle had discussed the possibility of signing the Croatian midfielder on loan from Everton. But, by the time the window shut, The Toffees had sent the £10 million man to CSKA Moscow instead.
And his performances in recent weeks have shown why Newcastle wanted him. Vlasic scored a last-minute penalty in the Champions League against Viktoria Plzen, netted a stunning goal in the Moscow derby against Spartak and, saving the best till last, struck the winner as CSKA stunned Real Madrid at the Luzhniky Stadium on Wednesday night.
No wonder Newcastle wanted him. Vlasic is quick, incisive and creative, while capable of scoring goals from midfield – everything Benitez’s struggling side are lacking right now.
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