Klopp has Liverpool scheming for cut-price signing of Spain star on four-game goal streak after role change
Liverpool like the idea of signing Carlos Soler from Valencia next summer, when there will be just one year left on his contract, according to reports in Spain.
It was a relatively quiet summer transfer window for Liverpool, whose only new signing was Ibrahima Konate. Instead, they focused on tying some of their key players to long-term contracts. In addition, they worked hard to find solutions for certain fringe players, although some have stayed.
Liverpool’s policy to operate within a low net spend meant that without selling any of their major assets, multiple signings were always unlikely. But rumours about them adding a new midfielder persisted from even before the transfer window began.
Georginio Wijnaldum left the club as a free agent in June, signing for Paris Saint-Germain after a five-year stay. It was thought they would search far and wide for a replacement, but none arrived. Instead, his space in the squad has been taken by Harvey Elliott, who has returned from a positive loan spell with Blackburn Rovers.
But Liverpool may look for more experience next summer, when there could be an opportunity for a cheaper signing. According to Fichajes, they are considering a swoop for Valencia’s Soler.
The 24-year-old has spent his entire career with Valencia so far, making 39 appearances for their B team before becoming a first-team regular. Since 2016, he has played in 188 senior games, contributing 26 goals and the same number of assists.
After taking the number 10 jersey for the current season, he has kicked on with three goals from his opening three games. He also scored for Spain in their first fixture of the current international break, against Sweden, making it four games in a row with a goal.
For Valencia, he has been playing from a right-sided midfield position, which is a little deeper and wider than his usual territory but still gives him licence to contribute in attack.
His versatility to cover in various midfield roles makes him an appealing proposition for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, the report claims.
What’s more, with his contract up in 2023 and no indication of a renewal, he could be available for a cut-price transfer next summer, which would be more to Liverpool’s liking.
However, Valencia will not make it easy for him to leave after losing several of their top stars in recent years as a consequence of financial mismanagement.
It is not clear exactly how much he may cost. But if Liverpool decide they need more experience in one year’s time, they may be among the leading suitors for his signature.
Soler was linked with Arsenal back in 2020 – and again in January. But it now seems another Premier League side have their eyes on him.
Klopp has cast doubt on midfield signing
That said, Liverpool have got Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to sign new contracts this summer. Therefore, they still have plenty of cover in midfield despite losing one of their regulars.
“Let’s go through the squad. Do you want to buy a new full-back? A new goalkeeper? We already have good players there,” he told TV2.
“In midfield, we have players with a lot of experience, such as Thiago, Fabinho, Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita. In addition, we have exciting young boys in Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones.”
Later that week, he reiterated their stance in a press conference, hitting back at a question about their midfield from The Athletic reporter James Pearce.
“You tell me, if you would sign a midfielder, tell me the name and I will think about it. It will be really interesting,” he said, before listing the various options he used throughout pre-season.
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It was put to Klopp that Liverpool had a lack of goals from midfield. But again, he shut it down.
“So he should score more goals, yeah? Ok, makes sense,” Klopp said. “I don’t know which midfielder it is then, who scores more goals that position than the boys.
“We never said we don’t have to improve and score more goals. But we have to create situations. It’s not that easy that [a player] is constantly in goalscoring situations.”
If he changes his mind within a year, though, Soler would seemingly answer those issues.
READ MORE: One that got away for Liverpool places blame for failed transfer after Klopp meeting
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