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‘It’s possible’: £25m man tipped to leave West Ham and re-join former club

Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
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Reading v West Ham United - Pre-Season Friendly
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A return to Hajduk Split may be ‘possible’ for West Ham United’s Premier League misfit Nikola Vlasic, Croatian coach Dean Klafuric tells Index

Filip Kostic is the latest in a long line of left-sided forwards linked with a move to West Ham United this summer. As such, things don’t look particularly rose for a man who’s second spell in English football has gone about as well as his first. 

At least Vlasic had the excuse of inexperience at Everton. He arrived at West Ham, however, in a £25 million deal after a couple of outstanding seasons at CSKA Moscow.

And while David Moyes has come under fire from some who believe Vlasic would be better suited to a more central role, the fact remains that six league starts, one assist and no goals is a hugely underwhelming return for a £25 million forward. 

Is Nikola Vlasic leaving West Ham United already?

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has even indicated that Vlasic would be happy to leave West Ham on loan, in order to boost his World Cup prospects. 

FBL-EUR-C3-EVERTON-HAJDUK SPLIT
Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images

CSKA Moscow appear to have distanced themselves from speculation, however. A potential switch to Serie A outfit Torino, meanwhile, has gone quiet too. 

But would Vlasic be open to the idea of returning to where it all began?  

“It is possible,” suggests Klafuric, who has coached the likes of Dinamo Zagreb, HNK Gorica and Sloven Belupo.

“Vlasic would be a reinforcement if Hajduk needs such a player. It would be good for the club and Vlasic. It would be a great satisfaction for the fans.”

Hajduk Split finished second in the Croatian top flight next term. This means they could be playing European football in 2022/23. Hajduk will join West Ham in the UEFA Conference League providing they can navigate a gruelling qualification process.

It seems unlikely that Vlasic would be all that keen on a return to Croatia, however, given the massive step backwards that would represent. 

Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images