‘Right now’: Agent claims he offered £25.5m Everton-linked star to ‘major’ rival clubs

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Tonci Martic, the agent of Nikola Vlasic, has told LigaTV, via TuttoMercatoWEB, he offered the CSKA Moscow star to all major Italian clubs, amid interest from his former side Everton.

Vlasic has been among the creative additions AC Milan chiefs Paolo Maldini and Frederic Massara have explored signing this summer. But Martic no longer believes a transfer to Italy is a guarantee, despite speaking with the Rossoneri’s Serie A rivals.

Martic names Napoli as one potential suitor he met to discuss Vlasic leaving the Russian Premier Liga this summer. The Croatian has spent the past three seasons in Moscow after joining on an initial loan from Everton, which CSKA turned permanent for £14m in 2019.

Everton had signed Vlasic two years earlier for £10m, and already seem to regret letting the Milan target join CSKA. Bobsoccer report the Blues explored the 23-year-old returning to Goodison Park, but Gazzetta dello Sport note a €30m (£25.5m) valuation.

CSKA’s demands of a near 80% profit may have been enough to keep Vlasic away from Milan, Napoli and the Serie A, or from potentially re-joining Everton. Martic admits it is now hard to discuss the likelihood of his client departing before the August 31 deadline.

“I offered Vlasic to all major Italian clubs, including Napoli,” Martic said. “What is the probability that he will leave CSKA Moscow? It’s hard to talk about it right now.”

Everton finances denying CSKA star Vlasic a second chance at Goodison Park?

While Martic cannot guarantee Vlasic will leave CSKA, amid interest from Everton and Milan, plus talks with Napoli, CEO Roman Babaev told Sport24 recently that the midfielder had expressed desires to leave the VEB Arena this summer to embark on a new challenge.

What could hinder Everton the most, then, is their troubled finances that have made inbound transfers difficult this summer. The Athletic report the Blues’ past overspending has now caught up with them, while FFP concerns are consuming the club.

So, Director of Football Marcel Brands may be unable to pay CSKA’s price to bring Vlasic back to Everton. Leaving Martic having to find yet more alternative destinations for his client. Despite offering 11 goals and five assists in 26 Premier Liga games last season.