The Daily Mirror are reporting that West Ham had to fend off interest from Brighton & Hove Albion to secure the signing of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Carlos Soler.
In the game of transfer musical chairs, Brighton has now turned its attention to former West Ham transfer target Matt O’Riley.
Brighton are negotiating with Celtic for the midfielder, aiming to beat Italian side Atalanta to his signature. It’s understood that Brighton remained in the race for Soler until it became clear the player preferred a move to the London Stadium.
Chelsea and other European clubs are also interested in Denmark international O’Riley, though Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers insists the club does not need to sell the 23-year-old playmaker.
West Ham were reportedly interested in O’Riley earlier in the transfer window but have since shifted focus to Spanish international Soler. Real Sociedad wre also keen to sign O’Riley but couldn’t match West Ham’s transfer package and wages.
As reported yesterday, the bid for Soler is believed to be an initial loan with an obligation to buy.
Interesting that lots of articles coming out about how the huge number of games that players now have is leading to burn out just as we embark on building a large, deeper squad. Almost as if we are getting ahead of problems for once. It also may be more attractive to players. That burn out is leading to some players retiring early or heading off to retirement camps like Saudi. Playing say 35 games a season rather than 55 might be a good way for players to extend their careers and keep earning money.
We do need a stronger midfield presence, plus there’s uncertainty with Paqueta. We do need a signing like this, I can see why it’s happening.
But we also need to see some leave, we’ve spent a lot, the wage bill and squad places.
Ball retention has been poor, Soucek and Paqueta often make lazy passes and give the ball away cheaply. I’d like to see JWP given a run in the new system before he’s offloaded as his distribution is usually good and he’d help retain possession allowing more gifted players to make runs. It’s really a matter of trial and error before a team evolves but once Tobido and Kilman start pulling the string’s with lot’s of diagonal balls to Bowen and Summerville and the player’s around them know when and where to make runs thing’s should gel, hopefully, before the Christmas matches.
I think we may be aiming a bit higher than competing with West Ham for anything!
Brighton finished bottom half last season…
Why are you on here if your a Brighton supporter….get some lube and go down the lanes mate 👍
Hahaha class
LOL 😅
Good to sign this player, hope he can bang in the goals for us.
Soler is exactly the type of player we need in the middle of the park. Would fit 4-3-3 or 3-5-2 set up. Soler with Álvarez & Paqueta would work really well together.
J-Lo obviously needs a player like Soler so he can implement his playing style. Soucek & JWP don’t fit his possession based football and might need to exit.