Nikola Vlasic has been pictured back at Torino for the first time after the Serie A outfit finally agreed a £10 million deal with West Ham United’s Premier League misfit.
The ear-to-ear beam stretching across the Croatia international’s face told you all you needed to know.
There hasn’t been much for Nikola Vlasic to smile about in recent weeks after all; David Moyes’ forgotten man speaking publicly and rather brutally about his unhappiness at the London Stadium, and his frustration over the snail-pace speed of negotiations over his departure.
“I’m fed up with this dead-end situation,” Vlasic sighed, 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.”
Exit imminent for West Ham’s Nikola Vlasic
News that Torino have finally agreed a deal to sign Vlasic on a permanent basis – the midfielder impressing on loan at the Granata in 2022/23 – will have come as a massive relief to a player who appears to have no part to play in Moyes’ plans.
According to Tuttosport, the Hammers have accepted a bid of £8.5 million, rising to £10 million. Vlasic will also sign a three-year deal worth around £33,000-a-week, and was pictured by Tuttomercatoweb arriving at the club’s training ground on Tuesday morning.
Vlasic will undergo a medical before putting pen to paper later today.
The former Everton, Hajduk Split and CSKA Moscow man could make his debut appearance as a permanent member of the Torino squad during next week’s Coppa Italia first round clash against FeralpiSalo.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
