Magpies allegedly mulling over loan offer for Everton starlet
Nikola Vlasic is interesting Newcastle United as they weigh up a season-long loan for the Everton starlet.
The Croat is on the Magpies’ radar this summer, if a report from the Daily Mail can be believed.
Vlasic has struggled to break into the starting lineup on a regular basis at Goodison Park since his £10m transfer 12 months ago.
And Newcastle seem primed to try and convince the Toffees to let him leave temporarily as they eye attacking reinforcements in the North East.
The 20-year-old featured 19 times in all competitions for Everton last term, and bagged himself two goals and an assist.
The bulk of those appearances, however, came before the turn of the year under former managers Ronald Koeman and David Unsworth.
The appointment of Sam Allardyce in last November saw Vlasic only play in seven games under the 63-year-old.
It’s still unclear why Vlasic saw so little time on the pitch, but Allardyce either didn’t rate him or the winger failed to show his worth in training.
The ex-Hadjuk Split wonderkid has a clean slate to work with this summer after Marco Silva replaced Allardyce at the helm in June.
He scored twice in the 22-0 club-record victory over Austrian minnows ATV Irdning last Saturday during a pre-season fixture, and also came on in Wednesday’s 1-1 friendly draw with Bury.
Vlasic’s skill, passing ability, balance and bags of potential mean he should be given a fair crack of the whip by Silva.
Yannick Bolasie may be on his way out of Goodison Park, and that would leave Vlasic to compete with Theo Walcott and Ademola Lookman for a place in attack alongside the main striker.
Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez wishes to strengthen his squad but has been left frustrated in his pursuit of key targets over the club’s lack of transfer kitty.
It means he may be scouring the loan market for new signings once more, with Chelsea’s Kenedy another possible attacking loan option.
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It remains to be seen if Vlasic would be allowed to leave for a Premier League rival, and it might well be he’s best staying put on Merseyside.