Milan have added a new name to the list of potential targets for their future front-line as they have inquired with CSKA Moscow about Nikola Vlasic. The 23-year-old Croatian midfielder has tallied ten goals and five assists 21 appearances in Russian League this season. He was already on their radar in the past when sporting director Massimiliano Mirabelli was at the helm, Gazzetta dello Sport reports.
Vlasic would be able to feature in multiple spots in Milan’s 4-2-3-1 scheme, but he is primarily a no.10. He could be a contingency plan if they do not reach agreement to extend Hakan Calhanoglu’s expiring contract, but the two can easily fit together. In those roles, the club will also have to make a decision on Brahim Diaz, who is on loan from Real Madrid, and Jens Petter Hauge, who has not gotten much playing time thus far.
Vlasic has a €35M release clause for foreign teams in his deal, but CSKA could settle for a slightly inferior sum (€28/30M) to let him go, Calciomercato.com reports. The Rossoneri are also pursuing Otavio and Flaurin Thauvin on free transfers in the same positions, as their contracts with Porto and Olympique Marseille are up in the summer.
The Croatian attacker was raised in Hajduk Split’s academy and earned a move to Everton in 2017, but he failed to leave a mark in Premier League. He was loaned to the Russian club the following season and eventually bought out for €15.7M in 2019. He has 17 caps and five goals with his national team.