Torino close to securing deal for West Ham United midfielder Nikola Vlasic
Torino are close to securing an agreement for West Ham midfielder Nikola Vlasic, as per Gianluca di Marzio.
The Sky Italia journalist wrote on his website on 9 August that the Serie A club are looking to secure a loan deal with an option to buy him permanently for £15m (including bonuses).
Fabrizio Romano added an update on the story on Twitter (9 August) that final details are being discussed at the moment, and everyone expects the deal to go through.
Big decision
It’s really bizarre that the Hammers have given up on him after just one season at the club.
West Ham signed him on a big-money fee last season, and it seems Vlasic’s career is as good as over. He will be joining Torino shortly, and they will have an option to buy him as well.
The fact that the Hammers are willing to let him go permanently suggests that he is not in David Moyes’s first-team plans for this season. He saw enough of him last season to make a big call on his West Ham future.
The 24-year-old could have been a decent option in midfield as West Ham need to bolster that area.
The Croatian attacking midfielder would have dropped down the pecking order following the arrival of Maxwel Cornet from Burnley.
It remains to be seen if his departure paves the way for any new arrival in the midfield areas.
West Ham are currently looking to bolster their defence, but Moyes could be tempted to sign another attacking midfielder before the end of the window.