Vlasic edging closer to Everton exit

Nikola Vlasic’s time at Everton seems to be coming to an end with reports a deal has been agreed with CSKA Moscow.

Vlasic’s agent Tonci Martic says he is now in talks with the Russian club, where Vlasic spent last season on loan, with a view of completing a permanent deal.

“I can’t confirm that CSKA and Everton have reached an agreement for Vlasic,” Martic told Championat via Sport Witness.

”All I can say is Nikola and CSKA are in talks and we are negotiating.”

If the deal is completed then it will be another player signed during the reckless summer of 2017 to leave Everton, following Wayne Rooney and Davy Klaassen.

Vlasic joined for around £10million on transfer deadline day after impressing for Hajduk Split in their Europa League qualifier against the Toffees. He showed glimpses of his potential in a blue shirt but became yet another victim of Ronald Koeman’s muddled thinking.

The Croatia international was never played in a settled position as Koeman struggled to fit all of his new signings into one coherent team. Koeman’s dismissal and Sam Allardyce’s arrival saw Vlasic dispatched from the first-team entirely, making just four starts between mid-December and the end of the season.

The arrival of Marco Silva offered the chance of a fresh start, but Vlasic was soon sent out on loan to CSKA in order to secure regular first-team football.

Vlasic looked to enjoy his time in the Russian capital, scoring eight goals in 31 appearances including the winner against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

It is little surprise therefore that he is edging closer to a permanent move, despite some Evertonians calling for Vlasic to be given a second chance at Goodison Park.

Many saw Vlasic as a potential deputy for Gylfi Sigurdsson and were keen to see how he would get one when playing in a settled team in a settled position.

However, with Marcel Brands also keen to lighten the wage bill and trim down the squad the chance to recoup a fee for a squad player appears too good to turn down, especially as there are still a number of players deemed surplus to requirements who will prove very tricky to shift this summer.