Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is thought to be an admirer of young Valencia star Carlos Soler.
And reports in the UK and Spain claim the Gunners are considering a move for the stylish £36million-rated midfielder once the transfer window reopens.
With the technical ability synonymous of players coming through Valencia’s academy, as well as a decent work rate and plenty of desire, Soler has a key role in the Los Ches team.
Valencia owner Peter Lim has been keen to see youth players given a chance at the Mestalla, and Soler as a homegrown academy product has duly prospered.
Still only 23, he already has more than 100 La Liga appearances to his name, as well as experience of both the Europa and Champions Leagues.
The Spaniard is used to playing for a demanding club with high expectations, so he should be able to hit the ground running relatively quickly if he was to move to the Emirates to work with Arteta.
What does he offer?
Most often deployed on the right of a midfield four under Valencia coach Marcelino, Soler was expected not only to offer an outlet in attack, but also protect his right-back when possession was lost. He has the fitness and work ethic to run tirelessly for 90 minutes.
But since Ferran Torres has burst onto the scene at the Mestalla, Soler has had to find a home elsewhere. Comfortable in a playmaker role, wide on the left or in the hole behind a striker, he has the intelligence, vision and ability to link midfield to attack.
Soler has a good weight of pass, takes good decisions on the ball and seems to suit the profile required for a coach like Arteta.
He is willing to work hard, is unselfish, is keen to get on the ball but will dig in defensively when needed.
His versatility may stop him from being a star player in any one position, but he’s a useful option for a coach with a busy schedule and the need to rotate.
Is £36m a fair price?
Given that Soler has been displaced at Valencia by a more talented winger in Ferran Torres, £36million seems steep. But with a €150m release clause and three years left on his current contract, it could be that 20-year-old Ferran is sold for a big fee and Soler resumes his berth on the right wing again.
Arteta would certainly find a use for the midfielder at a club where he is likely to have multiple domestic commitments and European matches to play.
But Soler is more of a steady, consistent presence than a game-changing star, so such a big outlay may seem excessive for such a player.
Two years ago, Soler was one of the top young talents in La Liga, shouldering responsibility way above his years and experience.
He hasn’t quite built on that and is now something of a midfield stalwart, but paying under a more expansive coach with fresh ideas might kick on his development once again.
