Of the numerous strange signings during Steve Walsh’s time as Everton Director of Football, the capture of Nikola Vlasic is up there.
The midfielder had not been on Everton’s radar until they met Hajduk Split in the Europa League and he managed to catch the eye.
Soon after those meetings the Blues had tied up a £7m deal for the Croatian and added him to a squad full to the brim with attacking midfielders.
His time on Merseyside would not be a happy one, though, as Vlasic struggled to make an impact in a team lost under Ronald Koeman and Sam Allardyce.
The following season saw him shipped out to CSKA Moscow on loan, where he’s since impressed, particularly in the Champions League, and the Russians elected to make the deal permanent for £14m this summer.
His father backs the former up, saying Everton fans are a knowledgeable bunch when it comes to rating a player.
“Nikola is highly respected in Russia. Everton fans also appreciate him because they know quality,” he told Vecernji.
“We believe that Nikola will soon be in demand among clubs in the top five leagues. Whoever sees him will know that they will only make money and profit.”
