Nikola Vlasic is facing an uncertain future at West Ham United with neither the Torino loanee nor his agent any the wiser about whether or not he will return to the Premier League outfit.
The Croatia international’s fifth goal of the Serie A season, coming during Sunday’s 1-0 win at relegation-threatened Hellas Verona, certainly had a ‘look what you could have had’ feeling about it.
While West Ham were losing at Brentford, David Moyes’ experimental XI blowing up in his face, Nikola Vlasic was flashing a stunning long-range shot into the top corner.
A tally of five goals and six assists in Granata colours, meanwhile, has some at the London Stadium wondering whether Vlasic should be offered the opportunity to belatedly live up to his £25 million price-tag in claret-and-blue.
Particularly with Manuel Lanzini seemingly on his way, and Lucas Paqueta inconsistent.
Does Nikola Vlasic have a future at West Ham United?
Torino, La Stampa say, have just a fortnight to decide whether or not they want to trigger the £12 million option-to-buy clause in Vlasic’s contract. But even as time ticks away, the former CSKA Moscow talisman still appears none the wiser about what his future holds beyond June 1st.
“I don’t know (if I will stay at Torino),” he tells DAZN. “Let’s see. For me, only the last three games are important. After the season, let’s see.”
“Nikola is happy at Toro,” agent Tonci Martic explains to Sport Italia; Vlasic’s representative in the dark too. “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.”
Vlasic has made no secret of his desire to stick around and sign a long-term deal at Juventus’ maroon-clad neighbours. Coach and compatriot Juric, meanwhile, is a huge fan of a player who, in hindsight, was not exactly set up to succeed under a West Ham boss who hardly ever gave him a chance in his preferred central attacking midfield role.
“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),” says Juric.
“He’s amazing and fantastic for us.”
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