Player accepts £12k-a-week pay cut to seal West Ham exit, deal agreed

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Nikola Vlasic will accept a pay cut to secure his West Ham United exit with the £25 million Premier League misfit set to join Serie A outfit Torino, as reported by Tuttosport. 

Somehow, the Hammers have managed to avoid the sort of scrutiny usually afforded to other top-flight clubs when taking a substantial loss on a player who failed miserably to live up to a lofty price-tag. Vlasic’s imminent departure – despite the damning financial ramifications – continues to fly somewhat under the radar.

But there’s no getting away from the fact that Vlasic – six starts, one goal and no assists – must go down as one of the worst pound-for-pound signings in recent Premier League history.  

A player who joined for an eye-watering £25 million just 12 months ago will now leave the London Stadium for half the amount West Ham paid for him. 

According to Tuttosport, Torino will sign the Croatia international on an initial loan deal. Should he impress in Italy, the Granata can turn that short-term deal into a permanent transfer for just £12 million.  

Nikola Vlasic is leaving West Ham United for Serie A

It speaks volumes about Vlasic’s desire to cut ties with the Hammers that he has accepted a substantial pay cut. The former CSKA Moscow talisman – who also failed to make his mark at Everton between 2017 and 2019 – will earn around £40 million at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino.

That is about £12,000-a-week less than he currently takes home as a West Ham player. 

“Yes, it is possible,” Vlasic’s agent, Toni Martic, said last week quizzed about his client’s uncertain future in the English capital.  

“Let’s not rush and see what happens in the near future.”

Tuttosport claim that Vlasic flew to Italy on Tuesday night in order to undergo medical tests with Torino. He could even make his debut for Juventus’ near neighbours during as early as Saturday. Torini will take on an ambitious, newly-promoted Monza outfit during this weekend’s Serie A opener.

West Ham, meanwhile, have brought in Maxwel Cornet from Burnley. The new £17.5 million signing could fill the left-sided role that Vlasic failed to make his own during 2021/22.