If a report from Claret and Hugh is believed to be true, West Ham United have made the call on Carles Soler’s future. They roped the Spaniard on a season-long loan from Paris St-Germain late in the summer. But he has failed to live up to the expectations thus potentially refraining the Hammers from triggering the option-to-buy clause in his contract.
The 28-year-old Spanish international progressed through the academy ranks of his hometown club Valencia before featuring regularly for the reserves in the Segunda División B. He was eventually promoted to their first-team set-up back in 2016 and went on to make more than 200 senior appearances in the centre of the pitch. After 17 years at his boyhood side, Soler completed a €18m transfer to PSG in the summer of 2022.
While he featured sporadically over the past two campaigns, Luis Enrique sanctioned his loan to East London for assured minutes. Julen Lopetegui’s contacts and reputation in Spain played a part in the move, however, his dismissal has now jeopardized Soler’s Premier League future despite being available for less than €20m.
Why West Ham United Should Not Make The Deal Permanent
Although the transfer fee is not a concern, his staggering £240k per week salary at PSG would be a stumbling block for the Irons. He has not done enough to stake a claim in Graham Potter’s plans, and the board is expected to offload several names in the summer to make way for new signings who would fit in the new boss’ brand of football.
Soler was taken off at the break after a dreadful first half against Brentford and it remains to be seen whether Potter hands him another start next weekend against Arsenal. He has primarily been deployed as an attacking playmaker or wide midfielder. But his numbers are far from impressive considering the experience and expertise gained in Spain and France all these years. With just one goal and assist each in 20 league appearances, the Spaniard should be deemed a transfer flop unless he turns things around for the 16th-placed West Ham United in the remaining gameweeks.
Injuries to Niclas Fullkrug, Michail Antonio and Crysencio Summerville have decimated the Hammers high up the pitch. They loaned in Evan Ferguson from Brighton until the end of the season, also, the return of James Ward-Prowse should bolster the Londoners in the middle of the park. Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta offer more firepower in the attacking third, and the gaffer should rely on them over Soler en route to scripting a revival in the long run.
