Long-standing Arsenal target Carlos Soler insists that he has no plans to walk away from an underperforming Valencia outfit in the near future, while speaking to El Laguero, via Marca.
The world was a very different place when the London giants were first linked with a dynamic, forward-thinking midfielder who has shone like a Belisha beacon in a dark year for Valencia.
Back in February 2020, the Mirror claimed that Soler had caught the eye of Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta.
A £140 million release-clause meant that, some 12 months ago, it felt distinctly unlikely that the so-called ‘new David Silva’ would be arriving at the Emirates.
But with Valencia hit harder than most by an unprecedented financial situation which has the whole of European football in a vice-like grip, Arsenal may have hoped that Soler would be available for a cut-price fee at the end of this season.
Estadio Deportivo reports that the 24-year-old Spaniard is still very much in Arteta’s sights.
Yet while Valencia jumped at the chance to cash in on Rodrigo Moreno, Ferran Torres and Geoffrey Kondogbia in recent months, their influential skipper has little interest in following in David Silva’s footsteps any time soon.
“I’d like to stay here for a long time,” said the Valencia-born schemer. “I’m happy.
“It is true that in the past year have lost many players because of the economic situation. I don’t think I will be sold. I think in the present, live in the moment.”
Soler has scored seven goals and grabbed five assists in a Valencia side hovering nervously over the relegation zone this season. In November, he scored a hat-trick of penalties in a stunning 4-1 victory over Real Madrid.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are expected to lose both Martin Odegaard and Dani Ceballos when their loan spells expire at the end of May, but don’t expect Soler to fill the void.
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