Exclusive: West Ham ready to bin Carlos Soler amid ‘frightening’ update
West Ham signed Carlos Soler on loan from PSG in the summer but now look unlikely to make that deal permanent.
The Spaniard signed on a temporary basis under Julen Lopetegui but when the Spanish head coach was sacked, the midfielder’s future was made unsure.
The 28-year-old has gone on to make just six appearances since Graham Potter came in, rarely impressing the new manager in that time.
As a result, the latest verdict emerging from the London Stadium won’t come as a surprise to the majority of the Irons’ supporters.
| West Ham Manager | Carlos Soler appearances |
| Julen Lopetegui | 17 |
| Graham Potter | 6 |
West Ham unlikely to activate Carlos Soler buy clause
There has been a change in approach since the ex-Brighton boss came in, utilising a range of tactical set-ups depending on the opposition.
This has typically seen a 4-2-3-1 formation be utilised but with the quality of the likes of Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta has been keeping the Spaniard out of the squad.
As a result of this ex-Hammers ace and Leicester City manager Martin Allen can’t see his former side activating Soler’s £16.9million option to buy from PSG.
“I can’t see him signing next season. No way, that can’t happen,” Allen told West Ham Zone.
“If you’re going to have a winning team, in and around that top eight that West Ham needs to be aiming for, I don’t believe he can do that.
“I don’t think he is mobile enough, I just think his lack of mobility and athleticism lets him down. Players that can’t run but are good on the ball, won’t work in the Premier League, you’ve got to be able to get from box to box.
“You’ve got to be quick because the mobility and athleticism at the top level is frightening and he doesn’t fit into that bracket for me.“
Carlos Soler could be done at West Ham
The former Valencia man has put in some positive performances at times this campaign, his showing in the defeat against Chelsea being a fond memory.
With that being said, an outlay of nearly £17m represents a potentially large outlay for a player who isn’t guaranteed to feature regularly.
This money could be better spent elsewhere while allowing Potter to get the best out of Crysencio Summerville in a similar position next season.
It will be interesting to see what decision the Hammers go on to make at the end of the season but it will have its pros and cons no doubt.