Everton are set to sign highly-rated Croatian winger Nikola Vlasic from Hajduk Split.
Nikola Vlasic may not be the clinical powerhouse centre-forward Everton were dreaming of to replace Romelu Lukaku, but the talented winger is an exciting signing for the long-term.
According to the BBC, Everton are expected to seal a £10 million deal for the 19-year-old attacker, who impressed against the Toffees for Hadjuk Split in last week’s Europa League qualifier. The delay, however, is down to work permit issues with Toffees’ supporters left biting their nails with just a few hours to go before the transfer deadline.
However Vlasic’s agent, Tonci Martic, has attempted to ease fears that Vlasic will slip through Everton’s grasp in the cruelest fashion.
“Today the job should be finished, we are very close. Work permit shouldn’t be a problem,” Martic told Index. “We are in the middle of it, but soon we will have time to speak more in detail about this great deal.”
Therefore, there should be another exciting young attacker putting pen to paper at Goodison Park this summer, following in the footsteps of Sandro Ramirez (below) and Henry Onyekuru.
Vlasic is a key player at Hajduk Split and has been vice-captain since 2016. He has been a regular over the last three seasons and also won his first cap for Croatia in May, starting a 2-1 win over Mexico in Los Angeles.
Where he fits into Everton’s plans, however, remains to be seen. Onyekuru, a hugely talented Nigerian forward who arrived on a similar deal from KAS Eupen in Belgium, will spend the upcoming campaign on loan at Anderlecht.
It is not yet clear whether Vlasic will be shipped off on a temporary deal or whether he will be immediately included in Everton’s first-team plans.
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