Football has a long memory, especially when it comes to transfer fees that never quite paid off. One former West Ham United player _still costing the club financially_ is [Nikola Vlašić,](https://www.claretandhugh.info/vlasic-millions-still-owed-west-ham-claim-nothing-to-see-here/) with the Hammers reportedly owing CSKA Moscow £7.2 million the second instalment of his original transfer fee. They are unable to pay this as U.K. government sanctions make it illegal for the club to send money to Russia. Yet while the debt lingers, until sanctions are lifted, Vlašić himself has moved on in every sense.
One of the candidates for ‘Worst ever transfer deal – Nikola Vlasic was surely Moyes’ worst transfer deal
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Since joining Torino from West Ham permanently in August 2023 for a bargain €10.3 million, following a successful loan spell, the Croatian international has become a central figure in Serie A. His impact has been undeniable, 20 goals and 15 assists across his time with the Italian side, establishing himself as a creative heartbeat in a team currently sitting 14th in the league.
Scoring again and loving life away from West Ham : Nicola Vlasic
This season alone, Vlašić has produced seven goals and three assists in 28 appearances, averaging a healthy 0.4 goal contributions per 90 minutes. For a midfielder operating in a side not known for free-flowing attacking football, that’s a return any manager would welcome.
At 28, Vlašić credits his resurgence to something surprisingly simple, sleep. The midfielder reportedly sticks to a strict routine, ensuring he gets ten hours of rest each night, lights out at 9:30pm. It’s a lifestyle that seems to be paying dividends on the pitch.
He remains under contract with Torino until June 2027, with the club holding an option to extend for an additional year, a sign of how highly he’s valued in Turin.
West Ham fans, however, still puzzle over why things never clicked for him in London. Despite arriving with promise, Vlašić struggled to break into the Hammers first team. His own words at the time painted a picture of frustration: _“We all know that I’m not considered an important player here. I’m just one of the many in the reserve group.”_ Whether it was the physicality of the Premier League, tactical mismatch, or simply bad timing, his spell at West Ham fizzled out far quicker than expected as Moyes simply ignored him and then shipped hm out for s huge loss.
Nikola Vlašić’s journey is a reminder that football careers rarely follow a straight line. While West Ham continue to deal with the financial remnants of his transfer, the player himself has flourished elsewhere. At Torino, he has rediscovered his confidence, consistency, and creative spark proving that sometimes a change of environment is all a player needs.