Nikola Vlasic was enraged with the West Ham board during a meeting about his future, according to reports from Tuttosport.
The Croatian has rarely played for our Hammers since joining, spending last season out on loan for Torino. He had a decent season in Italy, grabbing 5 goals and 6 assists in the Serie A.
However, this hasn’t been enough for Moyes’ to consider him in his plans for the coming season at West Ham and, despite being one of their best players last season, this wasn’t enough for the Italian side to pay the €13 million West Ham are holding out for.
At the start of the transfer window, Torino offered €9 million for Vlasic, despite knowing the fee the East London side wanted before taking him on loan.
Vlasic has made it clear to both clubs that he’d like to return to Turin but, allegedly, the frustration of a deal not being sorted got too much for him and he lost his temper during a meeting.
It’s important to note that it’s unclear whether the comments from Tuttosport are to be treated as direct quotes and we’re unsure how accurate they are all together.
“I’m fed up with this dead-end situation,” Vlasic apparently stated. “We all know, you first, that I’m not considered an important player here, I’m just one of many in the reserve group. I returned to London respecting the call-up with great fairness and I am training every day with the utmost professionalism, but this cannot be the solution.”
“I’ve been telling you for two months,” he continued, “that I want to play for Turin, that I no longer want to stay at West Ham under these conditions, on the sidelines. And also, that my own family never wants to go back to live in England.”
“Your behaviour is incomprehensible. I know that Torino has already offered you €9m for a long time, an important figure, respectful of my value and your needs. But you don’t intend to negotiate with Torino, you repeat that it’s not enough, but you still don’t communicate to the Italian club what the right figure is, in your opinion. I’m worried: I will continue training with great seriousness, but it cannot go on like this.”
These are some deeply concerning comments if true. A player this irritated about being at the club can cause the whole squad to become unsettled.
Even if not entirely accurate, it’s critical that the club find a solution regarding the player’s situation and fast. As previously mentioned, Moyes clearly has no intention of using the player and it would be pointless keeping him at the club when he won’t play, doesn’t want to be here and even a small amount of money could help us in this crucial transfer window.
Unfortunately, Nikola’s time in the East End hasn’t been full of personal success. There’s no doubt that he can be a good player at the top level, as he proved in Italy, but sadly it doesn’t seem like that’ll ever be at West Ham.
If the quotes are to be believed, it just goes to show how passionate he is about leaving the club but, unlike some, he’s not refusing to train to force his way out so you can only respect the professionalism. It’s not his fault however, the quicker the club can get a deal sorted for him the better for all parties.
By Charlie Bass
The above referenced news articles do not necessarily reflect what is being reported by ExWHUEmployee on The West Ham Way Patreon.
To get access to exclusive and verified club related content then visit our membership page if you’re not already subscribed.
