Who is Carlos Soler, the Manchester United target currently thriving at Valencia?
Soler has been dubbed "the next David Silva" for his superb skill on the ball and is now tipped to join the Premier League
VALENCIA midfielder Carlos Soler is earning rave reviews for his performances with the rejuvenated La Liga side this season.
As exclusively revealed by SunSport, Manchester United are lining up a summer move for the impressive 20-year-old creator.
Our friends at Football Whispers have studied the youngster to see why he has become the latest darling of Spanish football.
Who is Carlos Soler?
A member of the Valencia academy from the age of eight, Soler has been groomed for the Mestalla first team for more than a decade.
Initially a striker at youth level, as he rose through Los Che’s junior ranks he moved back to become an attacking midfielder.
Soler’s senior debut came last season as a substitute in a 3-2 defeat to Real Sociedad in December, and he quickly established himself as a regular in the first team.
The 20-year-old made 18 appearances last term, scoring his first goal in the local derby against Villarreal in January, the opening strike of a 2-0 win.
Finishing the 2016/17 campaign with three goals, Soler was selected to represent Spain in the European Under-21 Championships.
Although he was not a regular starter for La Roja, he played a part in helping Albert Celades’ men reach the final, where they lost to Germany.
On returning to club duty at the beginning of this season under new manager Marcelino, Soler became a starting XI fixture and has shone as Valencia have shot to second in La Liga.
After years of underachievement and managerial turmoil, Valencia are hopeful of finally clawing their way back into the upper echelons of the Spanish top flight.
...And securing a return to the Champions League.
Soler will play a big part in that, as a member of this vibrant young side.
On-loan PSG winger Goncalo Guedes has impressed this season at the Mestalla.
Meanwhile full-back Jose Gaya and Manchester United playmaker Andreas Pereira count themselves among the bright young prospects on the club’s books.
But Soler might just be the best of the bunch.
He has featured on the flank in Marcelino’s favoured 4-4-2 formation this season, but he is also able to play centrally.
Fast and a fine dribbler, he has the ability to take on his marker around the outside.
But he is perhaps most dangerous when drifting inside and creating chances for the likes of West Ham flop Simone Zaza in attack with pinpoint through-balls.
Soler already has an impressive four assists in La Liga this term and was a scorer when Valencia upset the odds to earn a 2-2 draw with champions Real Madrid in August.
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With his individual skill and creative ability, Soler has been labelled “The New David Silva” due to the attributes they share.
The Manchester City star was a fan favourite at Valencia before his 2010 Premier League switch, himself.
Valencia are well aware of the talent they have on talent they have on their hands in Soler, and inserted a whopping £75million release clause into his contract.
"(That's) something that's done by the club, by agents,” the youngster told Sky Sports when discussing his lofty price tag.
"When I go out on the pitch to play, I'm not thinking: 'wow, I've got a really high buyout clause and I've got a lot of responsibility on my shoulders.'"
What is his most likely destination?
For now, the best thing for Soler’s continued development may be to stay at Valencia and see where Marcelino’s ambitious project will take the club.
But the lure of the Premier League might prove too much to resist.
Jose Mourinho has reportedly identified the 20-year-old as a priority target and the Red Devils are said to be hopeful of tying up a deal for him by the end of the season.
How much will he cost?
Despite their strong interest in the player, United are not thought to be willing to meet Soler’s £75m release clause.
However, there is said to be a confidence inside Old Trafford that a bid of around £30m will be enough to convince Valencia to sell.