Graham Potter has had a tough time at West Ham.
(Credit: Hasan Karim)
Evan Shaw
Tue 3 June 2025 16:10, UK
West Ham face a big summer transfer window after a disappointing Premier League campaign.
Optimism was high when the Hammers managed to secure the services of Graham Potter in early January, but the former Chelsea and Brighton boss has been unable to turn the club’s season around over the last few months.
The 50-year-old carries a big reputation, but if he is to bring progress to the London Stadium next term, certain areas of the squad may need to be overhauled this summer.
The East London outfit are one of several Premier League clubs to have significant concerns over their finances, with PSR issues firmly on the horizon.
Graham Potter
Graham Potter will be hoping for much better next season at West Ham (credit: Imago)
West Ham turn down the chance to sign Carlos Soler permanently
Those financial problems mean that the Hammers may have to reluctantly complete a couple of significant sales in order to free up money that Potter can use to mould the squad in his image.
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There had previously been fears that Jarrod Bowen could be one of those to depart the club, but it is now thought to be Mohammed Kudus who could make way. West Ham are believed to have held talks with Manchester United about a potential swap deal involving Kudus and Jadon Sancho.
As well as having an impact on potential sales, the Hammers’ financial situation is forcing them to make tough decisions to prioritise their current targets.
Carlos Soler had spent the season on loan at the club from Paris St Germain, but West Ham have now turned down the opportunity of exercising their option to buy the midfielder for £17million, according to El Periodico Mediterraneo (3 June).
Spanish side Villarreal are now working on a potential deal to sign Soler, who has been offered to them by his parent club.
There are other clubs from the Premier League, Italy and elsewhere in Spain who are believed to hold an interest in the 28-year-old, but the midfielder’s current wage in Paris is a big concern.
Carlos Soler looks set to leave West Ham
Carlos Soler is set to join another club next season (Credit: Imago)
West Ham are right to pass on signing Soler
Soler has really struggled to get regular minutes during the second half of the season under Potter, despite having been a regular during Julen Lopetegui’s time at the club.
The former Spanish international arrived in E17 with lofty expectations, having previously played for European giants PSG and Valencia, but his performances have largely underwhelmed.
Under Lopetegui Under Potter Total
Apps 15 16 31
Starts 8 6
Goals – 1 1
Assists 1 – 1
Carlos Soler’s Premier League stats 24/25.
He ended the season with just one league goal and one assist from a total of 33 appearances in all competitions, far from the game-changing impact that many expected him to have in this West Ham side.
It comes as no surprise that the Hammers have declined the opportunity to keep him at the club on a permanent basis. Soler received limited opportunities to impress after the turn of the year and is the kind of player who could easily move and be a huge influence elsewhere, given his pedigree.
However, with their financial situation as it is, Potter and the club’s hierarchy cannot really afford to gamble on a player coming good in his second season.
They must focus their attention on players who can come in and transform the team and unfortunately, Soler isn’t that.
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