Out of favour West Ham midfielder Nikola Vlasic has been linked with several loan moves away from the Premier League, but the Hammers should give him more experience in England.
West Ham insider @ExWHUemployee recently revealed that Vlasic could leave the club this summer, either on loan or permanently, and several European clubs are interested in signing him.
The Hammers midfielder, who signed for £26million last summer from CSKA Moscow, is wanted by the likes of Serie A side Torino as well as other clubs in both Spain and Germany.
The Croatia international has failed to impress since arriving at the London Stadium, registering just one goal in all competitions last season and failing to hold down a spot in David Moyes’ starting XI.
Vlasic clearly has the potential to be a valuable player for the Hammers, but his lack of confidence and productivity on the ball is harming his future in east London.
Because it has only been one season it makes more sense to send the 24-year-old out on a loan deal, rather than letting him leave permanently.
Vlasic is still young and needs more experience playing regularly in a top league, which means a loan could be ideal in helping him develop going forward.
However, despite a lot of interest coming from across the continent, it would be more worthwhile for West Ham to send him out on loan to a Premier League club.
This way, he can gain vital top-flight experience in the top-flight and still develop as a player by gaining more minutes. Bottom ten clubs like newly promoted Nottingham Forest or Leeds United would be perfect destinations for Vlasic to excel.
If he does end up departing this summer, a move away from England could disrupt his adjustments to football in this country – which would not benefit the Hammers going forward.
The Croatian certainly has what it takes to become an influential player in the Premier League, his 54 goal contributions in 108 matches for CSKA Moscow is evidence of that.
However, this summer is the time for Moyes to decide on the future of Vlasic. Ideally, a Premier League loan deal would be perfect but we could well see him plying his trade elsewhere next season.