Yahoo News Why Aston Villa must make PSG star their first summer transfer signing
A move to Aston Villa would revitalise Carlos Soler's career after a difficult couple of years at Paris Saint-Germain. Reports in France claim he was even jeered by fans last weekend as he played what was likely to be his final game at the Parc des Princes.
The midfielder then came on for a six minute cameo against Nice on Tuesday night, one of the 10 occasions he was afforded less than 15 minutes at the end of a Ligue 1 match this season.
Soler won the French league title with PSG for a second consecutive time this term, but after playing a peripheral role in their triumph - featuring for less than 1,000 minutes across the league campaign - he is set to depart this summer. And it seems that a move to Villa is on the cards.
READ | Aston Villa star has played last game for the club after injury
READ | Emi Martinez handed perfect 'alternative' end-of-season award by Sky duo
Villa are reported to be among a number of teams vying to sign Soler, who needs to leave PSG to rediscover his form. He arrived in Paris two years ago from Valencia after the Spanish club had to sell him to raise money.
Soler is a boyhood Valencia fan and went from being a ballboy on European nights - likely when Emery was in charge of the club - to their captain. He came through the ranks at Valencia B three years after Emery left.
Soler speaks very good English and has a fondness for Premier League football after watching it on Canal+ as a kid. There is a growing Spanish influence at Villa and a move would surely appeal to the 27-year-old, especially giving him the chance to work under Emery.
"It’s all so mad, so physical, that if you can adapt to the intensity and then make the right decision, find the right space, that gives you something," Soler said when asked previously about a move to England. "Football is ever more physical but the player that ‘arrives’, that filters the final pass can adapt well: like Pablo Fornals, say.”
Soler can operate in a multitude of midfield roles, having sometimes played as a central midfielder at Valencia, or on the right of a 4-4-2, or an attacking midfield role in a 4-2-3-1. One of his best qualities is his off-the-ball movement, finding space in threatening areas and executing when it matters.
He is also a set-piece specialist, with 15 of the 22 goals he scored across his final two seasons with Valencia coming from the penalty spot. In 2020/21, Soler scored a hat-trick of penalties as Valencia thrashed Real Madrid 4-1.
When playing with Spain, he places himself in the half-space between the opposition defensive and midfield line to enjoy a degree of freedom in the final third. When he receives the ball he can then utilise some of his best skills, his awareness and ball-striking ability.
Emery needs to bolster his squad this summer ahead of an exciting 20234/25 campaign where his side will play at least eight Champions League matches having qualified for UEFA's elite competition with a fourth-placed finish this season.
Villa suffered something of an injury crisis this term, losing three players to ACL injuries, while the likes of Jacob Ramsey, Pau Torres, Alex Moreno and Youri Tielemans all missed at least seven league games through injury.
Buy your Aston Villa Champions League souvenir special HERE
