West Ham United
Premier League • England
West Ham turn down two offers as Serie A side looks to beat midnight deadline to secure midfielder deal
Torino are continuing their efforts to sign Nikola Vlasic from West Ham United on a permanent basis this summer after failing with two offers so far.
That is according to a report from Tuttosport, who state that Torino director of football Davide Vagnati is ‘the prime mover’ in terms of turning the Croatian’s temporary switch into a permanent one.
The Italian outlet has revealed that the option to buy Vlasic after his current loan deal expires at midnight on Saturday.
That price is currently set at €13million (£11.1m) but Torino would like the Hammers to bring that fee down so they can better afford the deal.
The Serie A side have already sent in two written offers for Vlasic in recent days, in their bid to get the deal over the line.
The first of these was an €8m offer, as they tested the waters, while the second was around €9m plus bonuses. Both were knocked back, but it’s thought that London Stadium transfer chiefs will be happy to sell for a figure below the clause as David Moyes no longer wants Vlasic.
Vlasic wants out of West Ham
The player himself has also informed West Ham that he has no intention of returning to London.
Vlasic has also made it very clear that he only wants a return to Torino and is not interested in joining any other club. That certainly complicates matters, given the Hammers are only negotiating with one club rather than two or three, which drive that price up to nearer to what they want.
The report adds that if a deal cannot be struck before that clause expires then Torino will carry on regardless, as they know the player is desperate for the move and will not eyes for any other club.
For West Ham, it could end up becoming a waiting game until they receive what they deem to be a suitable offer.