Report: Ross Barkley’s future may decide Everton’s immediate plans for Nikola Vlasic once £8m deal is done

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Everton are reportedly on the verge of signing Nikola Vlasic, and there have been conflicting reports on where his immediate future lies.

According to a report from the Daily Mail, Everton’s immediate plans for Nikola Vlasic, should they get a deal for the midfielder across the line, may well be dependent on what happens with Ross Barkley during the final days of the window.

The Mail reports that the Toffees are closing in on an £8 million deal for the Hajduk Split vice-captain, and a previous report from the Daily Mail had suggested that he may be loaned out straight away – much like Henry Onyekuru was as he swiftly left Goodison Park for Anderlecht on loan upon signing for the club this summer.

However, the Mail is now suggesting that Vlasic’s immediate future – should the deal go through – could well depend on whether Barkley seals a move away.

The Mail suggests that Chelsea have made a £25 million bid for the playmaker who is out of contract with the Merseyside club next summer.

The Mail adds that should Barkley seal a switch to Stamford Bridge – or to anyone else for that matter – during this window, Everton’s plan will change and they will look to keep Vlasic amongst Ronald Koeman’s squad.

It is perhaps a slightly strange decision for Everton to wait for Barkley’s future to be decided before making a call on where Vlasic will play his football this season.

Barkley is out until December with injury, according to the Mail, so Koeman will not be able to utilise him for a number of months even if he does not seal a move to Chelsea anyway.

But given how Vlasic has begun the new season with Hajduk, keeping him around the first-team squad rather than loaning him out would certainly not be a bad option to go for if the deal does go through.