Barcelona will reportedly have to fend off stiff competition from La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid in the race to sign Carlos Soler from Valencia.
According to a report by Spanish publication AS, Carlos Soler is the subject of interest from Atletico Madrid over a possible move in the summer transfer window. The Spanish international is also a target for Barcelona, with Valencia likely to demand around €20 million.
Carlos Soler has spent his entire footballing journey with Valencia, joining Los Che as an eight-year-old before rapidly progressing through the ranks at their academy. The 25-year-old broke into the first-team setup at the Mestalla in December 2016 and has since established himself as one of the best midfielders in La Liga.
The Spanish international has turned out 222 times for Valencia thus far, chipping in with 35 goals and 31 assists. But Soler faces an uncertain future at the Mestalla, with his contract set to expire next year. Such a situation has captured the attention of some of the most high profile clubs across Europe, including Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
The interest from Barcelona stems from the rising uncertainties surrounding the future of Frenkie de Jong. The Blaugrana will pursue Soler in the summer transfer window if the Dutch midfielder departs from Camp Nou. And de Jong’s exit is possible due to Barcelona’s precarious financial situation.
Soler is thus a viable target for Barcelona, with the Spanish international reportedly keen on joining the Catalan giants. But Barcelona will have to fend off stiff competition from La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid in the race to sign Soler from Valencia in the summer transfer window.
Recent reports had claimed that intermediaries offered Soler to Atletico Madrid, who now have an interest in the 25-year-old. The Colchoneros will have to enter the market for a midfielder this summer, as Hector Herrera will join Houston Dynamo, while Saul Niguez, Rodrigo De Paul, and Geoffrey Kondogbia face uncertain futures at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Soler will not cost a bomb, with Valencia likely to demand around €20 million for him. But Barcelona will only shell out the required €20 million if they recoup a sizeable sum from Frenkie de Jong’s sale. Such a situation gives Atletico Madrid a window of opportunity to swoop in and prise the Spanish international from Valencia.