On loan Everton winger Nikola Vlasic wishes to stay at CSKA Moscow on a permanent basis, according to the Russian club’s president.
The Croatian winger has impressed since moving to CSKA from the Toffees over the summer, scoring seven times in 20 appearances.
The 21-year-old was lacking in the impact he made on Merseyside, making just 12 league appearances and failing to register any goals or assists, and is understood to favour a move to Russia.
Speaking to Sports.ru, CSKA president Roman Babaev said: “Any communication with [Everton] is informal at the moment. But for us, the most important part is Nikola’s position. He would very much like to stay at CSKA.”
He added: “We understand that there are many clubs that would buy Vlasic right now. But until the summer the rental deal protects us.
“We will talk to them but business is business and if they receive a good offer why would they choose CSKA over another club? So the story is not easy. It is obviously unlikely that CSKA can pay the amount that is discussed in the press at the moment. Everton paid £10million for Vlasic.
“They need at least that money to recapture the transfer. Furthermore, Nikola receives a lot of attention.”
Good move for Everton?
It’s hard to see any way that Vlasic is going to gain any kind of regular opportunity at Everton in the near future. The Blues have invested well and Marco Silva looks to be building a side in his image, and that image does not include the Croatian.
Competition in attacking positions is much fiercer than it was this time a year ago at Goodison Park, and the 21-year-old failed to force his way into the first team then.
Offloading him would probably be the best move for both the club and the player, and if they could recoup anywhere near the £10million or so that they paid for him then it would be a brilliant move.
This is Futbol rating: 9/10
Likely to happen?
The likelihood of Vlasic moving to Moscow on a permanent basis rests almost entirely on whether or not CSKA can match Everton’s valuation of the player.
A fee of £10million could be a lot to cough up for the Russian side, and that could be a real stumbling block, but if the Toffees are willing to drop their asking price and compromise then you would assume that this would be the best move for all parties involved.
You wouldn’t be surprised if the Blues shaved a couple of million of their valuation if it means getting the Croatian off their books.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10