Vlasic breaks silence

Nikola Vlasic admits he is very happy at Torino.

The Hammers flop was sent to Serie A in the summer and he has impressed since making the move to Italy.

In 15 league games, the Croatia international has scored four goals and laid on two assists.

And he has continued to thrive in the national team, playing well at the World Cup.

Croatia came through their group with Morocco, Belgium, and Canada, and went on to beat Japan on penalties in the Round of 16; Vlasic scored his spot-kick.

That has booked a blockbuster quarter-final with Brazil and Vlasic has now admitted that he is enjoying life at Torino and has hinted that he could make his stay permanent.

We have reported consistently that there is a purchase option in the deal, which stands at just under £13m, that Torino can activate, either in January or in the summer.

Per Gazzetta dello Sport, Vlasic said: “I feel like sharing this joy [making it to World Cup quarter-final] with Torino fans. They are fantastic. From the first day I arrived in the city, they took me by the hand.

“When I meet them on the street, they always repeat to me ‘Grande Toro’, ‘Grande Toro’. Everyone asks me to stay for a long time. I’m very happy at Torino, let’s see what happens in the summer, but right now I just want to enjoy the joy and fun of wearing that shirt and thinking about winning games to make them happy.”