With one week remaining in the transfer window, West Ham were involved in negotiations to sign midfielder Carlos Soler from Paris Saint-Germain. The transfer talks were advancing well among the two clubs and the 27-year-old box-to-box midfielder also agreed personal terms with Julen Lopetegui's side. Therefore, it was widely expected that the Hammers will bring Soler to the London Stadium, making him their ninth summer signing this season.
The move happened and Soler joined West Ham on the final day of the transfer window, however, there was a big surprise when the transfer was confirmed. Instead of a permanent transfer, West Ham reached an agreement with the French Champions to sign Soler on a season long loan move. This loan transfer raised several eyebrows among West Ham fans, who were wondering why the Hammers didn't signed Soler on a permanent basis rather than a loan transfer.
The reason why West Ham decided to sign Soler on a loan transfer
A possible reason for this can be that West Ham don't want to pay a transfer fee to Paris Saint-Germain currently, after making eight signings before bringing in Soler. Also, the Hammers only managed to send James Ward Prowse on a loan transfer to Nottingham Forest, instead of getting around £25 million by selling him. This transfer fee by selling Ward Prowse would have been used by West Ham to complete the signing of Soler in this transfer window.
However, this isn't the case and hence, Soler has arrived at the London Stadium on a season long loan move. For West Ham, they have added an all around midfielder who can track back to help the defence as well as make several key passes for the forwards inside the final third. Soler has started training with the first team and is highly likely to make his West Ham debut in the away fixture against Fulham after the international break.
Meanwhile, West Ham will hope that James Ward Prowse performs well at Nottingham Forest this season, and they decide to sign him from West Ham next season.