The last thing West Ham United need right now – as the Premier League outfit deals with a poor season, speculation over summer departures and the whole Lucas Paqueta saga – is further complications via the signing of Nikola Vlasic all the way back in 2021.
Four years since the Croatia international joined West Ham in a £26 million deal from CSKA Moscow, this is a story which continues to spark much discussion over in Russia.
CSKA’s chief executive Roman Babaev, meanwhile, is only too happy to tell anyone who will listen that there are still payments to be made by the Premier League outfit.
West Ham parted with Vlasic when Torino stumped up £8 million back in August 2023. If The Hammers faithful felt that was the end of the midfielder’s rather disappointing tale at the London Stadium, well, think again.
Nikola Vlasic West Ham controversy rumbles on in Russia
The Athletic reported last year that West Ham still owe £13.5 million to the Russian giants.
Much to Babaev’s frustration, around Christmas time the Court of Arbitration for Sport pushed back the ruling. He suggested that a ‘compromise’ between the two clubs was unlikely, all the while laying the blame directly at The Hammers’ door [Sport24].
Now, in quotes reported by Soccer RU, CSKA’s CEO is hoping that a decision will finally be reached sooner rather than later. He plans to hold further talks with the West Ham bosses at the end of this month.
“There are no decisions from CAS yet,” Babaev explains. “We are targeting the end of May for the meeting with West Ham.”
Russian press discuss potential transfer ban for West Ham United
Only a few weeks ago, Babaev accused West Ham of ‘ignoring’ CSKA’s pleas.
“The case has been postponed again. We are waiting literally for a month,” Babaev told TASS. “I hope we will finally get a decision [soon]. West Ham has not communicated with us.
“They are ignoring us.”
The Guardian reported all the way back in 2022 that, following the beginning of the Russia – Ukraine conflict, West Ham were uncertain whether they would be permitted to send over the next payment required as part of the arrangement with CSKA.
Sanctions placed on Russia were preventing Premier League clubs from doing deals with Russian clubs at the time.
Chelsea, for instance, were not able to sign Arsen Zakharyan from Dynamo Moscow despite triggering the now-Real Sociedad midfielder’s release clause.
This, then, is a complicated situation amid which solutions have been hard to find.
Sport RU also claim that, if West Ham do not hand over the outstanding fees before July 31st, a transfer ban may be on the cards. Of course, this is an absolute worst-case scenario which The Hammers will be desperate to avoid.
“I am very sorry to hear this [is happening]. CSKA has always been a very correct and honest club and Nikola has fantastic memories of his time at CSKA with his teammates, the people at the club and the fantastic fans,” Tonci Martic, agent of former Everton youngster Vlasic, told Odds in December.
“I really hope that they will soon get their well-deserved money from West Ham and that the issue will be resolved soon.”
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