West Ham United summer signing Nikola Vlasic will have to be patient before breaking into David Moyes' preferred line-up but the Croatia international is already looking to take Said Benrahma's place in the side, according to journalist Paul Brown.
What's the latest news involving Vlasic?
Vlasic completed a deadline day switch to West Ham for a fee which could rise to £34.5million.
The attacking midfielder joined from Russian side CSKA Moscow, penning a five-year deal at the London Stadium.
Vlasic was the Hammers' most expensive arrival of the transfer window, eclipsing the £29.8million spent on Chelsea central defender Kurt Zouma and taking the east Londoners' summer spending up to more than £63million.
It is not Vlasic's first taste of the Premier League as he also made 12 top flight appearances while on Everton's books.
While the 23-year-old started West Ham's Europa League group stage opener against Dinamo Zagreb earlier this month, he has featured in just one of Moyes' Premier League starting line-ups so far.
What has Paul Brown said about Vlasic?
Brown believes West Ham boss Moyes will continue to give Vlasic opportunities from the bench and decide against throwing him into his preferred line-up.
But the journalist reckons Vlasic, who scored in Croatia's win over Scotland at Euro 2020, has set his sights on dislodging Benrahma from the side.
Brown told GMS: "Benrahma's spot is the one he's probably looking at.
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"I don't think he's going to take it straight away just because Moyes is quite loyal to players and he likes to bring new signings in gradually.
"He really wants new signings to learn the system and what he wants from them. I don't think Moyes believes you can do that in just a few weeks.
"I think it might be a little while before we see him starting games consistently, but I do think he's got it in him to put pressure on Benrahma."
How difficult will it be for Vlasic to overtake Benrahma in Moyes' thinking?
Benrahma has started all six of West Ham's Premier League fixtures so far, so it would appear as though the Algeria international is firmly in Moyes' plans.
The 26-year-old, who joined the Hammers from Brentford in a deal which could rise to £30million, has also chipped in with three goals and two assists since the new campaign got underway last month.
However, Benrahma only registered one goal in his debut season for West Ham, so Vlasic could force his way in if the goals and assists dry up again.