Nikola Vlasic looks likely to leave Premier League outfit West Ham United this summer with Torino submitting an opening bid of £7 million after an impressive season on loan in Serie A.
That is according to Tuttosport; a man who set David Moyes’ side back a cool £25 million two years ago now on his way out of the London Stadium outfit for a much lower fee.
Torino agreed to include a £12 million option-to-buy clause in Nikola Vlasic’s contract when signing him on loan during the summer of 2022. But with the Granata now opting against stumping up an eight-figure sum – despite the Croatia international’s largely excellent displays in Turin – you can probably expect a few weeks of haggling.
Torino, Tuttosport say, are offering £7 million. That is unlikely to be enough to satisfy West Ham, however; especially with Vlasic’s rebuilding his reputation during an excellent campaign in Serie A.
One suspects that, if Torino are unwilling or unable to stump up £13 million, there will be no shortage of other clubs happy to step in and put their money where their mouth is.
Is Nikola Vlasic leaving West Ham United?
In 35 games across all competitions, Vlasic has five goals and six assists in 2022/23. His most recent strike was a thumping long-range finish in a 1-0 win away at Hellas Verona.
“I don’t know (if I will stay at Torino),” the one-time Everton misfit told DAZN a few weeks ago. “Let’s see. For me, only the last games )are important. After the season, let’s see.”
“Nikola is happy at Toro,” agent Tonci Martic explains to Sport Italia. “I hope he grows together with Torino. Manager (Ivan) Juric is very important for his career.
“It is difficult to say whether he will stay or not. It depends on the two clubs. Everything is still open.”
Moyes handed Vlasic only a smattering of starts during a forgettable debut season at West Ham in 2021/22. Now, with Lucas Paqueta starting to make the attacking midfield role his own at the London Stadium, the former CSKA Moscow talisman would likely find himself even further down the pecking order if he was forced to return to his parent club.
“He’s a great player. He is essential for us because he has the right characteristics and can play many roles. He’s done everything and he’s complete. He also has good finishing (skills),” Torino coach Ivan Juric says of the in-form 25-year-old.
“He’s amazing and fantastic for us.”
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