West Ham United have now opened talks to sign CSKA Moscow playmaker Nikola Vlasic before next week’s transfer deadline.
That’s according to the Daily Mail, who claim that the Hammers have kickstarted negotiations in an effort to get Vlasic on board before next Tuesday’s cut-off.
CSKA are believed to value Vlasic at around £25million, a healthy profit on the £11million they paid to sign Vlasic from Everton in 2019.
West Ham are though hoping to lower that asking price and bring the valuation down, mostly likely to below the £20million mark.
Vlasic is seen as the main alternative to Jesse Lingard, in case the Hammers can’t bring the Manchester United midfielder back to East London.
A deal for Lingard is ‘proving expensive’, and West Ham may now be able to land the youngster Vlasic for a more friendly price.
Vlasic, 23, managed just 19 appearances during his time at Everton, but he has become a real star over in Russia having been cast aside by Marco Silva at Goodison Park.
The Croatian international has racked up 33 goals and 21 assists in 107 outings for CSKA, averaging a goal involvement every other game.
Capable of playing out wide or as a number 10, Vlasic has the versatility that Moyes would be looking for from any Lingard alternative arriving at the London Stadium.
His first Premier League stint didn’t go well, but West Ham may hope for better from the man compared to Luka Modric – if they can get a deal over the line.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
