West Ham United transfer news as Torino remain hopeful to sign Nikola Vlasic after £7m bid rejected
Serie A outfit Torino remain hopeful of signing Nikola Vlasic and are awaiting West Ham United to loosen their grip to allow him to leave, according to Sportitalia.
According to the Italian outlet (28 July), talks are ongoing between the two parties and remain firm but there is a statement on proceedings after an offer worth €9million [£7.7m] was rejected weeks ago.
The Croatian international spent the 22/23 campaign on a season-long loan at the Serie A club, where he made 30 appearances in all competitions, and has again reiterated his desire to continue his relationship with Torino on a permanent basis.
It is believed that West Ham United are demanding €13million [£11.2m] despite the €15million loan agreement for the attacker to follow Declan Rice out of the club.
Awaiting the inevitable
West Ham United will be undergoing much change in the coming weeks, and one of the biggest factors of that change will be letting fringe stars go. Unfortunately, Vlasic is certainly on that list given his difficulties at the London Stadium.
The Croatian international only registered one goal and two assists for the East Londoners, tallies he has already surpassed in Italy, with four goals and five assists last season.
It’s clear he’s been enjoying life in Italy, and it’s only right the Hammers should look to come to a swift agreement so both parties can move on amicably.
The £11m demand is incredibly lofty given his lack of impact during his East London career and the Hammers are well within their right to demand that price with Vlasic’s contract running till 2026.
However, the Irons need to move on with their own much-needed signings and they simply cannot waste time on sealing the inevitable on a player they don’t really need.
Let’s hope this exit is sealed fairly quickly, Vlasic can’t still be a West Ham United player when the campaign kicks off in two weeks, surely.
In other West Ham news, one European giant is ramping up the pressure on the Hammers to sign one big-money player.