West Ham United midfielder Carlos Soler [Credit: Imago]
West Ham United midfielder Carlos Soler [Credit: Imago]
Transfers

West Ham open permanent Carlos Soler discussions as new transfer update emerges

Harri Burton
Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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West Ham have opened discussions in recent days to make Carlos Soler's loan move permanent from Paris Saint-Germain, according to Le Parisien.

The French source reported [20 December] that there is no obligation-to-buy clause in his current deal at the London Stadium but the Hammers have been delighted with him so far.

It is understood the Hammers and PSG negotiated a purchase option of up to £16.6million [€20million], one which could be exercised in the coming weeks in East London.

West Ham United to sign Carlos Soler permanently?

Many supporters were unsure by the signing of Soler, and rightly so after his mixed move to Ligue 1, but he has been a revelation since earning Julen Lopetegui's trust.

Despite now being suspended for the Irons' home clash against Brighton on Saturday 21 December, the 27-year-old Spaniard has been a welcome addition, even though he only has one goal contribution.

He has even been preferred to cult legend Lucas Paqueta in the middle of the park, a player who has completed dropped standards by his comparison.

Soler will be a huge miss for the game against the Seagulls, and if the Hammers can take him off PSG's hands for a little over £16million, it seems like a no-brainer decision in January.

Tim Steidten has faced a lot of criticism for some of his signings last summer, not least Niclas Fullkrug and Luis Guilherme, but he could certainly earn some brownie points if Soler were to stay permanently.

West Ham United boss Julen Lopetegui
West Ham United boss Julen Lopetegui [Credit: Imago]

The likes of Edson Alvarez and Guido Rodriguez have failed to hold down the midfield spots, and while he is a little less defensive than the aforementioned duo, his enthusiasm and energy cannot be faulted.

£16.6million sounds like an incredible deal for a player so versatile, given his ability to play anywhere in midfield, and even at right-back if called upon, and has made such a good impression already.

In other West Ham news, Gary Lineker has called out David Moyes in a new Christmas jibe after what he did at the London Stadium, "Scrooge!".

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West Ham United
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