Atletico Madrid and Diego Pablo Simeone have been dealt a blow to their planning for the season. Carlos Soler, one of the Argentine coach's oldest wishes, has decided not to join the club. Simeone had closely followed the development of the Valencian midfielder for years, but Soler's destiny seems to be moving away from Madrid.
Carlos Soler, a frustrated signing
Soler was always a player who fit into Simeone's idea of football. His versatility in the midfield made him an ideal candidate for Atlético Madrid . Soler has the ability to adapt to both defensive and offensive duties, something that Simeone valued enormously.
Since the beginning of the summer, there was speculation about Soler's departure from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). His lack of prominence in the French team put him on the radar of several European clubs. West Ham, managed by Julen Lopetegui , showed strong interest in him. Lopetegui convinced Soler with an attractive project, where he would have a leading role.
The blow for Simeone and Atlético
Atlético de Madrid were keeping an eye on Soler's situation, hoping that negotiations with other clubs would not come to fruition. However, West Ham managed to convince the player with an offer that met his expectations. This leaves Simeone without one of his oldest wishes and forces the club to rethink its options in the market.
For Simeone, this news is a cold shower. He had seen Soler as a solution to reinforce his midfield. Now, with the signing ruled out, Atlético will have to look for other alternatives that fit the coach's needs.
Rodrigo De Paul, the great beneficiary
Meanwhile, Rodrigo De Paul is one of the biggest beneficiaries of this situation. Soler's arrival would have meant direct competition for him in the midfield. Now, De Paul has more room to establish himself in Simeone's system without the pressure of another player competing for his place.
The Argentine knows that this season is crucial for his career at Atlético. The trust that Simeone has placed in him is reinforced by the news that Soler will not wear the red and white shirt. De Paul will now have the opportunity to show that he is the right man to lead Atlético de Madrid's midfield.
Atlético, for its part, will have to continue looking for reinforcements in the market. Although the signing of Soler has failed, the club has not lost hope of finding an alternative that meets Simeone's expectations. For now, Carlos Soler will continue his career away from the Metropolitano, while Simeone and his team adapt to this new reality.