Aston Villa lead race for PSG midfielder, Arsenal and Spurs interested

Aston Villa have emerged as the frontrunners in the race to secure the signature of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Carlos Soler, with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur also showing interest in the Spanish international.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano (via Caught Offside), Soler's time at PSG is coming to an end, and the French giants are ready to sanction his departure this summer.

Soler, who made a name for himself at Valencia before joining PSG in 2022, has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter in the star-studded lineup at the Parc des Princes. The 27-year-old has started just 11 Ligue 1 matches this campaign, making a total of 23 league appearances and contributing one goal and two assists. Despite having three years left on his contract, Soler is expected to move on in search of more playing time and a fresh start.

Unai Emery's Aston Villa have had an impressive campaign, qualifying for the Champions League, and are keen to bolster their squad ahead of their return to Europe's elite competition. The Villans see Soler as a player who can add depth and experience to their midfield, and they are reportedly in pole position to secure his services.

Although Soler's stint at PSG has been underwhelming, his quality and potential remain undeniable. During his time at Valencia, he consistently showcased his ability as a dynamic central midfielder, contributing both defensively and offensively. His versatility, which has seen him deployed in various positions at PSG, could also be an asset for Aston Villa.

Arsenal and Tottenham have also been offered the opportunity to sign Soler, but their interest appears to be less concrete than Villa's. The Gunners are reportedly prioritising the signing of a defensive midfielder to partner with Declan Rice, while Spurs may be looking to upgrade on their current midfield options.

Reports suggest that PSG may be looking to recoup the €18 million (£15.4 million) they paid for Soler in 2022. However, with the player falling out of favour with the fans and the club, a slightly lower figure could be agreed upon.

The transfer fee for Soler has not been disclosed, but Villa's strong interest and the prospect of a reunion with Emery could see them secure the Spaniard's signature.

Soler's time at PSG has been marked by a lack of consistent playing time and a failure to win over the fans. He was recently booed by supporters ahead of PSG's surprise 3-1 defeat to Toulouse, partly reflecting his struggle to find a place in the fans' hearts. However, a closer look at his statistics suggests that Soler's output has not significantly declined since his move from Valencia.

Despite the drop in goalscoring, Soler's underlying numbers remain impressive. He is creating chances at a similar rate to his time at Valencia, and his passing accuracy and movement off the ball remain strong. The only notable decline has been in his tackling, which has been uncharacteristically poor this season.

Carlos Soler's future looks increasingly likely to lie away from Paris Saint-Germain. Aston Villa's strong interest and the prospect of a reunion with Unai Emery could see the Spanish midfielder become a key figure in the Villans' exciting new chapter in the Champions League. With his versatility, work rate, and creative ability, Soler could prove to be a valuable addition to Villa's squad as they look to make their mark on the European stage.