Three years after West Ham United sold Nikola Vlasic for a hefty financial loss, the Torino talisman has found himself in the crosshairs of two European giants.
It emerged a few weeks ago that AS Roma are looking to raid Serie A rivals Torino for their influential Croatia captain in the off-season.
Now, according to Tuttosport, Borussia Dortmund appear to have taken the lead in the race for Nikola Vlasic’s suddenly sought-after signature.
Why did it go so WRONG for Nikola Vlasic at West Ham? 🇭🇷
He's been excellent in Italy…
West Ham United's Coatian midfielder Nikola Vlasic reacts after tackling Burnley's English midfielder Ashley Westwood during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Burnley at the London Stadium, in London on April 17, 2022.
The report claims that Dortmund have already started ‘internal discussions’ regarding a deal which could take the former West Ham United misfit to the Signal Iduna Park this summer.
Dortmund want West Ham United flop Nikola Vlasic
As underwhelming as Vlasic may have been during forgettable spells at both West Ham and Everton, regular Serie A watchers will tell you that the interest of Roma and Dortmund has not come out of the blue.
The former CSKA Moscow playmaker has eight goals to his name this season, the most recent coming at the San Siro during a narrow 3-2 defeat by AC Milan.
Nikola Vlasic of Torino FC celebrates after scoring a goal
Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images
West Ham recouped just £8 million of their £25 million investment when selling Vlasic to Torino in 2023, following an initial loan spell.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
While he has only one year left on his contract at the Stadio Olimpico, one suspects the Granata will be holding out for quite a bit more.
“His excellent season certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed,” agent Tonci Martic told Tuttomercatoweb recently. “He plays as a well-rounded midfielder, excelling in both attacking and defensive positions.
“But Nikola is primarily focused on the second half of the season, where he must continue to play like this to gain space and help Torino move closer to the right side of the table.”
AWB is our reigning Hammer of the Year! ⚒️ 🏆
But who is your favourite to win the award in 2026?
El Hadji Malick Diouf and Jarrod Bowen celebrate Fulham v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Vlasic barely played in his best position under David Moyes
David Moyes may have a lot to answer for, with regards to the Croatian’s failed stint in East London. Vlasic was shoehorned into a left-wing role for the most part, especially once Jesse Lingard became firmly established as the Scot’s number ten.
It should come as no surprise, really, that Vlasic has been a man reborn in the same central attacking midfield role in which he was named the Russian Premier League Player of the Year at CSKA.
Per Transfermarkt, Vlasic featured in his favourite role just five times in a 31-game spell at West Ham, scoring once and providing only two assists.
In 243 appearances for CSKA Moscow and Torino, the majority of those coming as a number ten, Vlasic averaged a goal or an assist every 2.5 games. Ninety-four, in total.
Tuttosport add that Dortmund view Vlasic as a replacement for the long-serving Julian Brandt. Ex-Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Brandt is leaving BVB when his contract expires in July.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox