PSG change: Carlos Soler reveals “truth” about Valencia farewell

“Certain things happened”

On Deadline Day, Paris Saint-Germain made the fourth top transfer for the midfield center perfect with Carlos Soler. The fact that the 25-year-old Spaniard left FC Valencia after 18 years came about at very short notice for him too. “Everything happened very quickly,” Soler recalled in an interview with “Levant EMC” and “super deporte“, in which he emphasized with regard to his departure from his hometown: “I want to explain myself, present my version, tell my truth.”

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Why it pulled him away as a “Valencianista” through and through is “a complicated question, because it wasn’t easy to make the decision to leave, it really wasn’t. There were over a year and a little more negotiations for an extension where certain things happened,” Soler said. “In the end I made a decision, but I always took advice.”

Together with his advisors, the midfielder initially “said that I would like to stay in Valencia,” Soler made clear. “They made an effort but it wasn’t the terms I wanted and they weren’t even close and there wasn’t any scope for an approach at any time either. On the other hand, you have to be aware that in life not everyone can agree with everyone. And so is football. I would have liked to have continued, but I’m also happy with the decision I made. I’m going to a big club and I’ll try to fight for big things too.”

Soler was not primarily concerned with the financial aspects. “There are a lot of people, and these things bother me too, who think it’s all about the money, but it’s not. I can tell you that,” said the Spanish international, who was primarily concerned with the length of the contract and the sporting project that should revolve around the Champions League in the future.

“I ended up asking for a long-term contract because I wanted to be committed practically my whole life. From 25 to 33, 34 or 35 years to be linked to Valencia all my life. The club has a philosophy and doesn’t want to sign contracts longer than six years. I disagreed and the club never came close to what I asked for in years. As a result, no agreement was reached,” explained Soler. “I don’t blame them either, it’s their decision, if they didn’t see it that way, then that’s the way it is. Like I said, that’s football. Of course I’m sad to be leaving, but I don’t take it personally and I hope it’s the same the other way around and that no one will take offense at me.”

PSG change: Soler did not want to leave FC Valencia without a fee

He also communicated to those responsible that he did not want to leave his heart club in the summer of 2023 without a fee. “Because I owe the club a lot,” Soler clarified. “So at the end of the transfer window came the offer from Paris Saint-Germain, we reached an agreement and I left.” It was “of course (…) not easy to leave your city, your home and everything else. Because I’m 25 years old and I’ve spent 25 years here in Valencia with my people, my friends that I know from school. Giving up all this isn’t easy, it was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make. And now I’m starting a new stage, with the greatest enthusiasm to learn new things in a new city, to share a dressing room with new teammates and also to win titles. In short, to grow.” PSG transferred 18 million euros to Valencia for Soler’s services.

“I spoke to the sporting director and the coach. They told me that they want to change something within the club, that they want an ambitious project for the next few years. Of course we want to try to win the French league and the cup, but also pursue the goal of the Champions League title,” said Soler, who signed for PSG until 2027. “I spoke to both of them, they convinced me that I have to go now because there are a lot of games and I will be there. It’s true that I have to get used to the new situation now, but I also understand that it’s part of the process, part of coming to a big club with very good players and having this competition.”

However, the years in Valencia will always be “a great few” for Soler. “I’m not just talking about the first team, I’m talking about the 18 years that I was there, from the age of seven until I was 25. It was great. I remember a lot of people from the academy. All the people working around the club are wonderful, they’re doing work that nobody sees and that’s important. All the trainers I’ve had. All this time was great and I take unforgettable memories with me.”

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