West Ham 24-year-old could leave this week, exit now imminent

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West Ham United midfielder Nikola Vlasic could leave the Premier League this week with Torino confident that the Croatia international will be playing Serie A football in 2022/23, as reported by Calciomercato. 

As West Ham chased an equaliser during their top-flight opener against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon, it’s telling that David Moyes opted against bringing a £25 million forward off the bench despite having no fewer than five substitutions at his disposal.

Vlasic’s stock has fallen considerably since joining the Hammers on deadline day 12 months ago.

So much so that it would be a surprise to see the former Everton misfit wearing claret-and-blue after the window shuts in September.  

Nikola Vlasic leaving West Ham for Serie A chance

According to Calciomercato, Torino are increasingly confident that Vlasic will be a Granata player sooner rather than later. A deal could even be agreed this week. Torino coach Ivan Juric sees Vlasic as the ideal replacement for fellow Croatian Josip Brekalo, with the former CSKA Moscow talisman potentially arriving on loan with an option-to-buy clause included in his contract. 

Calciomercato add that Vlasic, a target for AC Milan as recently as 2021, is also on Napoli’s radar. Luciano Spaletti’s Champions League outfit are closing in on Sassuolo schemer Giacomo Raspadori instead, however.

Espanyol of La Liga is another potential destination for Vlasic. But, as of now, Torino are in the driving seat. 

“Yes, (a move away from West Ham) is possible,” Vlasic’s agent Toni Martic said on Friday. “Let’s not rush and see what happens in the near future.”  

Vlasic’s former CSKA coach Ivica Olic, meanwhile, believes a change of scenery is a must for a player desperate to get his career back on track before the Qatar World Cup in November. 

“I believe in Vlasic. I know there are a lot of teams that would like to sign him or take him on loan,” says one-time Bayern Munich striker Olic.

“If West Ham give him the opportunity, then Nicola will change teams (and join a club) where he will be given the chance play and where he can get in better shape. This will help him again become one of the leaders of the Croatian national team.

“I wish this for him from the bottom of my heart. I spoke with him. He wants to stay in Europe. For example, to test himself in the German or Spanish championships. He has options.”