Torino coach Ivan Juric admits the Serie A outfit ‘cannot afford’ the £11 million West Ham United want for Premier League misfit Nikola Vlasic as things stand.
After scoring five goals while setting up eight more during an impressive loan spell with the Granata in 2022/23, Nikola Vlasic is making no secret of his desire to return to Italy on a full-time basis.
Unfortunately for West Ham’s seldom-seen Croatia international, there remains a gap between the fee that the Hammers want, and the fee Torino are capable of paying.
Nikola Vlasic stuck in West Ham limbo
“I’m fed up with this dead-end situation,” Vlasic sighed last week, via Tuttosport. “We all know that I’m not considered an important player here (at West Ham). I’m just one of many in the reserve group.
“I returned to London respecting the call-up with great fairness, and I am training every day with the utmost professionalism. But this cannot be the solution.
“I’ve been telling you for two months that I want to play for Torino. That I no longer want to stay at West Ham under these conditions, on the sidelines.
“My family never wants to go back to live in England.”
Why not tell us what you really think, Nikola…
Torino boss and fellow Croatian Juric would love to reunite with Vlasic. But, after seeing bids of £6.5 million and £9 million rejected earlier in the window, West Ham’s £11 million asking price is currently a little rich for Granata blood.
“Our will is to sign him,” Juric tells Calciomercato. “He wants to return because he found himself well. He can do better than last year.
“The problem is the economics. We can’t afford him right now. We hope to find an agreement. (West Ham) are asking too much for Toro.”
Vlasic has reportedly asked David Moyes to let him leave; game time likely to hard to come by in 2023/24 as Lucas Paqueta establishes himself as the Hammers go-to creator.
West Ham could still kill two birds with one stone, however, by including Vlasic in a deal which may see Torino defender Perr Schuurs move to the London Stadium.
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