Nikola Vlasic is nearing a move to CSKA Moscow after struggling for playing time at Everton. The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at CSKA and is in the process of turning the move permanent this summer. Vlasic is a Croatian u21 international and the national team assistant, Ivica Olic, has revealed that the £25k-per-week forward wants to stay in Russia.
He told Ria Novosti (h/t Sport Witness): “Nikola told me that he wants to stay at CSKA if he has the chance. He is very happy how things are going in Russia for him, he loves life there. I think he would like to stay in Russia for one or two years. His performances in Russia also caught the attention of national team coach Zlatko Dalic and those performances have played a big role for his national team career.”
Vlasic joined Everton from Hajduk Split in 2017 and has made 19 appearances in all competitions, scoring and creating three goals. His last outing in an Everton shirt was against Southampton on May 5, 2018 and he failed to score a goal in 12 Premier League games that season. Vlasic joined CSKA last summer and contributed 15 goals in 31 games, recapturing his form in Russia.
He wants to stay at the VEB Arena next season and may have his wish granted in the coming weeks. Everton have Gylfi Sigurdsson ahead of the Croatian international in the pecking order and appear happy to let Vlasic leave as a result. The Toffees finished eight in the Premier League last season and want to push for at least a top-six place in 2019/20.