Reports out of Italy have claimed that Nikola Vlasic is nearing a permanent exit from West Ham United.
The Croatian was sent on loan to Torino this summer after a dismal 2021/22 campaign in east London. He cost the Hammers £26.8m from CSKA Moscow last year but never found his way in David Moyes’ side and was restricted to six starts in the Premier League.
The £70k-per-week dud only managed one goal and three assists in 36 appearances in all competitions for the Irons, but he seems to have settled much better at his loan club. He has hit the ground running with three goals in seven Serie A matches and has seemingly impressed in Turin.
Torino hoping for permanent Vlasic deal
According to Calciomercato (via Sport Witness), Vlasic’s ‘excellent start to the season’ has led to Torino president Urbano Cairo ‘to consider an early redemption of the player’.
The Serie A outfit have the option to sign the attacker permanently for €15m (£13.5m) and he could be taken off West Ham’s hands altogether come the end of the campaign.
Vlasic has become a ‘staple’ of compatriot Ivan Juric’s team in Italy, and that link to the manager certainly seems to have helped him regain his form.
Could be worth cashing in
Despite impressing on loan, it is perhaps unlikely that the 41-cap Croatia international ever finds his way back to the London Stadium.
A constant in the national team, the one-time Everton flop set up a goal as he started in his country’s win over Austria at the weekend.
However, a measly 6.22 average match rating in the Premier League last season saw him rank 18th among his team-mates as he found it difficult in the English top flight.
Recouping only half of his transfer fee wouldn’t be ideal for the Irons, but considering that the 24-year-old earns more than first-team regulars Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek, Aaron Cresswell and Craig Dawson (Salary Sport), it may be worth getting him off the wage bill.
