If it wasn’t already clear, Nikola Vlasic doesn’t want to return to Everton.
We’re pretty sure we’ve written that exact same sentence in the past, but he keeps on repeating himself, and, to be honest, each interview seems to come with more emphasis on how much fun he’s having in Russia.
Loaned out by the Toffees to CSKA Moscow, the Croatian forward was told early on by Marco Silva he wouldn’t be a starter for him, which led to him getting first team football elsewhere.
With no buyout clause in the deal, the 21-year-old is expected to return to Goodison Park at the end of the season, but not before.
Speaking to Bob Soccer in Russia, he made that very clear, telling CSKA fans he was ‘with them until at least the summer’.
When asked about his future, he was also quite to the point.
He said: “I am very happy and glad I’m at CSKA. I truly believe that I am at home, this is my team, and if the decision depended only on me, it would be a very easy choice. I’d say yes and remain a CSKA footballer, but, unfortunately, there are several other interested parties.
“It’s particularly necessary to understand Everton’s position, how it relates to the situation, what they think. It’s not up to me. Let’s wait until the summer and see what the decision is.”
Despite all the turmoil around what happens next season, Vlasic reassured CSKA fans ‘all his thoughts’ were on winning the title with his current team, and his head hadn’t been turned.
So far this season, the Croatia international has scored seven goals and assisted teammates three times in 19 appearances.
