West Brom want to bring £14m star back to England; he will cost ‘serious money’

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£14 million CSKA Moscow talisman Nikola Vlasic is a target for West Bromwich Albion, although Slaven Bilic admitted the Croatia international would cost ‘serious money’ while speaking to Index HR.

With Everton crying out for the sort of dynamic, all-action midfielder who can provide a link between the defensive third and the attacking one, the decision to sell a £10 million Steve Walsh signing last summer continues to baffle and bemuse.

Vlasic was afforded just five starts in the Premier League during his short-lived spell at Goodison Park.

Despite showing Everton what they were missing during a superb loan spell at CSKA in 2018/19, scoring twice in the Champions League against Real Madrid no less, the Merseyside giants still decided to cash in.

And it is fair to say Vlasic, who produced 13 goals and seven assists during his first season as a permanent member of CSKA’s squad, has gone from strength to strength since cutting ties with the Toffees.

While Bilic would love to sign his fellow Croatian, West Brom would have to shatter their transfer record as well as fight off competition from Napoli and co.

Easier said than done, we’re sure you’ll agree.

“I would like to sign (Vlasic),” Bilic told Index HR. “But, of course, Moscow would want serious money. Zenit offered a lot for him. Napoli too.

“When you ask me who I would like to sign, he is the one. Young and modern players like Vlasic. I would be happiest if I could sign Nikola.”

It has been a frustrating summer so far for West Brom, who have missed out on goalkeeper Ivo Grbic to Atletico Madrid and Brazil international winger Everton Soares to an ambitious, big-spending Benfica side.

Their only permanent signing so far is Matheus Pereira, who spent last season on loan at The Hawthorns from Sporting Lisbon.