Of all the disappointing signings in West Ham United’s recent Premier League history, Carlos Soler’s underwhelming loan spell from Paris Saint-Germain surely sits near the top of the tree.
This, after all, was a footballer who once scored a La Liga hat-trick against Real Madrid. A 14-time Spain international with two Ligue 1 titles on his CV.
Carlos Soler was labelled the second coming of David Silva in his early days back home at Valencia, while comparisons were also drawn with a young Santi Cazorla.
No wonder expectations were high, then, when West Ham signed the Paris Saint-Germain playmaker on loan with a £16.5 million purchase clause in his contract. A £16.5 million fee which, presuming Soler could recapture the mercurial magic of his Valencia heyday, would surely put the silky Spaniard in ‘bargain of the century’ territory.
But, as Carlos Soler bids farewell to the London Stadium with his temporary contract coming to an end, the PSG misfit is instead destined to join Gianluca Scamacca, Felipe Anderson and more in a growing collection of big-name West Ham United signings who did not come close to justifying early expectations.
Carlos Soler in talks over La Liga return after West Ham United exit
Carlos Soler has no future at newly-crowned European champions Paris Saint-Germain. He will be sold this summer for the right price.
West Ham may have turned their noses up but, according to L’Equipe, there is no shortage of clubs willing to put their faith in a 28-year-old playmaker capable of providing far more than he showed in claret and blue.
Brighton and Hove Albion were linked with Carlos Soler a few weeks back. L’Equipe report that Fabian Hurzeler’s side are indeed in the mix. Brighton are currently trailing behind Villarreal, however, with the team who finished fifth in La Liga last season opening talks.
The Valencia-born ace could return to the Castellon Coast to join the club situated just 45 miles north of Los Che’s iconic Mestalla stadium.
Soler hit double figures in each of his last two La Liga seasons with Valencia before joining Paris Saint-Germain in 2022. A Villarreal outfit preparing for a return to the Champions League will be hoping to coax that goalscoring streak out of Soler again after he found the net only once in 33 appearances for West Ham.
“It’s been incredible playing for this team and especially for its fans, who have been awesome all season,” Soler wrote on Instagram when confirming his departure from the English capital in May.
“We all wish we could’ve done better, but that’s just how football is. Thanks to everyone at the club for all the love from day one. I’ve felt right at home.
“Once a Hammer, always a Hammer!”
Paris Saint-Germain’s Spain international admitted West Ham spell was disappointing
Barring that one exceptional display during November’s 2-0 win away at Newcastle United – Carlos Soler was handed a perfect ‘ten’ by Hammers News following his St James’ Park masterclass – the midfielder struggled to exert any sort of an influence in a West Ham team falling well below pre-season expectations.
“It’s not been what I expected,” Soler told West Ham’s website when discussing his struggles in claret and blue. “Nor what the team or the fans expected.
“Because, when I arrived at this big club, the goal was not to be where we are now. The goal was an ambitious project with lots of new players and new coaches and trying to do things better than last year.
“However, I have really enjoyed my season here despite not being in the position that we want to be in. I have enjoyed living here in London, playing with this team and playing in front of this crowd and these incredible fans.
“I would have loved to play more and to be more involved in the starting line-ups, but it doesn’t just depend on me. It’s what is best for the team, for the staff, the Head Coach and for everyone at the club.
“I’ve always tried to do my best in training and in the games, and sometimes in football it doesn’t happen how you want, but I’ve enjoyed this year here in England, and obviously I would love to be in this league for a lot more years because every player wants to play in the Premier League, and I’m no different.”
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