Nikola Vlasic will not return to West Ham United from loan in January
West Ham midfielder Nikola Vlasic won’t be returning to the club from his loan spell this month, as reported by Claret and Hugh.
The 25-year-old midfielder joined Torino on loan during the summer.
Italian newspaper Libero (print edition, pg. 30, 25 January) reported the Hammers are now eager to recall the Croatian to the London Stadium.
However, the reliable Hammers source has shared that there is no such clause in Vlasic’s deal that allow the Hammers to bring him this month.
At the end of the season, a decision will be made on whether Torino will sign the 48-cap Croatian international permanently on not.
“There is no arrangement or clause other than that he stays with Torino until the end of the season when they will make a decision on a permanent deal,” sources have told Claret and Hugh.
Unlikely
Vlasic didn’t impress in his first season at the club and he was loaned out. Torino are keen to sign him permanently, and it appears that he is not in David Moyes’ plans.
The midfielder has been in good form for the Italian side in the first half of the season, and played for his country during the World Cup in Qatar.
It would have been a real shock if he made a move back to the London Stadium.
West Ham have bolstered their midfield during the summer. The club added Flynn Downes and Lucas Paqueta, while Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek are still around.
It’s really unfortunate that the midfielder wasn’t given a proper chance to turn his career around and the decision about his future was made too early. The club paid big money to sign him and they could have shown more patience towards him.
West Ham have signed Danny Ings from Aston Villa, and they could be looking to add one or two players in other positions.