Nikola Vlasic signs preliminary West Ham contract – report
Nikola Vlasic has signed a preliminary contract with West Ham ahead of his expected switch from CSKA Moscow, according to Andrey Pankov.
The Championat journalist, who is based in Moscow, made the claim via his personal Twitter profile on Sunday evening [29/08/21].
Pankov wrote: “CSKA Moscow and West Ham have agreed to transfer Vlasic. Nikola himself has already signed a preliminary contract with the Londoners. Medical examination and closing soon.”
Made the step up
The Croatia international endured a difficult time at Everton when he made the move to Merseyside in 2017, failing to score in 12 Premier League appearances.
He was shipped out on loan to CSKA for the 2018/19 campaign, eventually making that move permanent.
It is in Russia where he has truly blossomed, being named Russian Premier League Footballer of the Year in 2020.
The 23-year-old has also been starring for his national side of late – he scored in consecutive UEFA Nations League matches against Sweden and France last year while he grabbed a goal against Scotland in the European Championship in June.
Vlasic is capable of playing across the attacking midfield positions which may suggest that a move for Jesse Lingard is off the cards now.
With Said Benrahma, Jarrod Bowen and Pablo Fornals already impressing this season, and the likes of Andriy Yarmolenko and Manuel Lanzini in reserve, the Irons will be well-stocked in that area if Vlasic does complete a move to the London Stadium.
In other West Ham news, the Irons want to sign this teenage sensation who has a release clause, club plan London meeting.
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