West Ham United advance in talks to sign Carlos Soler on mandatory loan-to-buy deal from PSG
West Ham are progressing well in talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a late deal for Carlos Soler, according to Foot Mercato.
The French outlet reported via their website on 19 August that a loan-to-buy deal with a mandatory purchase option is under discussion, but is still some way from completion.
A fee of more than €20million [£17million] is under discussion for the Spanish international who cost around €18m [£15.4m] from Valencia two years ago.
Real Sociedad have reportedly been interested in the 27-year-old for some time but his salary at PSG has made it complicated for them, so the Irons are pushing ahead for a man Julen Lopetegui wants.
Julen Lopetegui wants West Ham to sign midfielder
Once Tim Steidten managed to secure Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United it looked like the rest of the transfer window would be focused on moving players out amid talks to shift Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd [TBR Football, 13 August].
But they are actually just two of a host of incumbents who the Hammers are willing to part with as they make space for Soler before the deadline [The Times, 19 August].
If the midfielder does arrive on a loan-to-buy deal it would defer the fee until next summer, but space would still be needed on the wage bill, where Danny Ing’s £130,000-a-week deal is something the club are ready to get rid of for free [talkSPORT, 13 August].
Jean-Clair Todibo was also brought in on an initial loan with an obligation to buy [BBC Sport, 10 August] as Steidten looks to have found a way to strengthen additionally for the start of Lopetegui’s reign.
But it will all have to be paid for eventually so there is a clear need to secure some outgoing moves for unwanted players, with time running out before the 30 August cut off.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are expected to receive more approaches for one of their current midfielders before the deadline.
For more West Ham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.