‘Ready for his departure’: Manager says £25m West Ham target can leave

Follow us on Google Discover

In an alternative universe where the word covid means nothing to nobody, Nikola Vlasic would surely have said goodbye to CSKA Moscow a long time ago.

After putting that forgettable stint at Everton behind him, Vlasic has blossomed in the Russian capital. The swaggering central midfielder was named the league’s player of the year in 2020 and one of Croatia’s stand-out performers at Euro 2020.

Instead, despite the best efforts of Vlasic and his overworked agent, the 24-year-old remains a CSKA player a month into the new campaign.

According to Tonci Martic, Vlasic’s representative, the former Hajduk Split starlet has been offered to every major club in Italy (Tuttomercatoweb).

But, with ripples caused by the pandemic hitting Italian shores like a tidal wave – just look at the situation Scudetto holders Inter Milan find themselves in – serious bids have been in short supply for a man valued in the region of £25 million.

But if there’s one league relatively unscathed by the long-term effects of covid – at least in terms of recruitment and spending power – it’s the Premier League.

And, having splashed out just £2 million all summer long, West Ham have more money than most sitting in the bank.

That means, with The Guardian reporting Vlasic has been identified as an alternative to top target Jesse Lingard by the Hammers, a man who got lost amid the churn at Goodison Park could still see his wish come true before the month is out.

Nikola Vlasic would have a point to prove at West Ham

“Everyone knows the situation around Nikola. He has said more than once he wants to start playing at a higher level,” CSKA coach Aleksei Berezutski told Soccer before those West Ham links emerged.

“This is completely normal. But Vlasic and his entourage must understand you have to pay for his transfer. Vlasic costs money – and not a small amount.

“But even in these conditions, Nikola remains a professional. The club is ready for his departure.”

If West Ham stump up the £25 million CKSA want for Nikola Vlasic, agreeing a deal should be a formality. As long as he hasn’t been put off the Premier League by sharing a tactics board with Sam Allardyce.