Manchester United are reportedly set to step up their pursuit of Carlos Soler, and are set to make a move for him in the January transfer window.
According to the Don Balon, Jose Mourinho is on the lookout for a midfielder to add to his squad in the winter transfer window. The Manchester United boss has set his sights on Carlos Soler, who could soon be on his way to Old Trafford.
Soler has hit a rich vein of form this season, prompting some of the biggest English and European clubs to show an interest in him. The Valencia man has played every game in La Liga so far in the current campaign, after breaking into the first-team setup last season, with a goal and four assists to show for his efforts.
The interest from Manchester United surfaces as Jose Mourinho re-evaluates his midfield options. Mourinho has been in favour of Marouane Fellaini at times, but with the midfielder refusing to sign a new deal at Old Trafford and his current contract set to expire in six months’ time, the need to sign a midfielder could soon arise.
Additionally, a major dip in the form of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who has recently been dropped altogether for matches and is being linked with a move away from Manchester United, has not helped matters either.
Carlos Soler:
One of the biggest talents in Spain at the moment. Has been a huge part in Valencia’s success so far. Good dribbler and passer. Rumoured to Manchester United for the summer. pic.twitter.com/MtaIR6zxi9— GC (@ReyesDeBernabeu) December 27, 2017
As a result, Mourinho is looking to delve into the market for a creative, hard-working midfielder who could be compatible with Paul Pogba, making Valencia youngster Soler a viable target.
Manchester United’s bright start to the season led pundits to tip them to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title. Their dip in form coincided with the loss of Paul Pogba to injury and Manchester City’s winning streak, which has seen them fall way behind the league leaders.
Since the return of Pogba, there have been suggestions of over-reliance on their star man, and Mourinho sees Soler as the ideal man to take away some of the burden, while also providing the missing link in midfield for the Premier League giants.
The bone of contention for the Red Devils is the transfer fee. Manchester United will have to shell out the €80 million buyout clause in Soler’s contract to secure his services. Valencia are unwilling to even entertain offers for bids lower than the figure, while the Premier League heavyweights are pondering a player plus cash offer.
On the other hand, Manchester United are also weighing up the option to buy Soler and loan him back to Valencia to ensure the transfer is wrapped before other clubs table bids and start an inevitable bidding war. It now remains to be seen if a transfer sees the light of the day, as Soler continues to grow in stature.
