Newcastle United are facing a race against time to sign Everton attacker Nikola Vlasic, according to the Sun.
The newspaper claims that the Toffees are set to sell Vlasic, 21, to CSKA Moscow unless the Magpies table a late bid to sign the Croatia international.
Vlasic spent last season on loan with the Russian giants and it is understood they are hoping to seal a £12million deal for Everton’s attacking midfielder, who has only made 19 total appearances for the Merseyside club.
OPINION
Newcastle do seem as though they are going to miss out on Vlasic. It is hard to see the Tyneside club make any signings, or sales, until the futures of Rafa Benitez and Mike Ashley are clarified. BZG’s takeover is dragging on as much as Benitez’s contract and the uncertainty surrounding both of those issues is bound to have an impact on Newcastle’s ability to get signings done at this early stage of the summer transfer window. It remains to be seen if Vlasic would be a good addition at St James’ Park anyway. He struggled at Everton, but did do well for CSKA Moscow last season as he scored eight goals and supplied seven assists in 31 appearances across all competitions. Three of those goals came in the Champions League group stages, with one being a winner against Real Madrid. Vlasic is still young and could get better, but his form at Everton was a worry.
