Carlos Soler, the 28-year-old midfielder who joined Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2022 from Valencia on a deal running until 2027, has failed to convince on the pitch and spent the 2024–2025 season on loan at West Ham. Now back in Paris, a solution for his future must be found. L’Équipe reports that Villarreal are stepping up efforts to sign him, while Brighton remain on alert.
“The Spanish club is multiplying its approaches.”
“For the former Valencia man, who is under contract until 2027, an exit route exists with Villarreal. Marcelino, his former coach, would like to work with him again. The Spanish club is making multiple moves to try to sign the PSG midfielder. Beyond his high wages, the main issue is finding the right deal structure. Villarreal want a loan; Paris want a permanent transfer. In England, Brighton have also emerged as an option.”
Soler has never really established himself at PSG, and his one-year loan at West Ham (33 matches, 1 goal, 1 assist) did not change that. Not retained by the Hammers, he returns to a Paris squad that no longer counts on him. Now deemed surplus to requirements, he is a strong target for Villarreal, where Marcelino — his former coach — hopes to revive his career.
Villarreal are said to already have the player’s agreement but must still reach common ground with PSG on the deal structure, as the Spanish side favor a loan while PSG are demanding a permanent transfer. Brighton, meanwhile, are monitoring the situation and could take advantage of the standoff.
For Soler, the objective is clear: to regain regular playing time in hopes of earning a call-up to the Spanish national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, and to reignite a career that has stalled since his departure from Valencia.
