Bournemouth are reportedly in formal negotiations to sign Lanús left-back Julio Soler, with a potential move planned for the January transfer window.
Journalist Uriel Lugt reports that Lanús is already aware of Bournemouth’s offer and is preparing for the possibility of the deal progressing.
Soler, 19, has been linked to the Premier League several times in recent months. Liverpool expressed interest back in August, and a report in late November placed both Liverpool and Manchester United in contention for his signature, prompting River Plate to intensify their pursuit of the talented defender.
However, Bournemouth now appear to have taken the lead, with Lugt stating that negotiations are ongoing, primarily involving the player’s representatives rather than the club itself at this stage.
If the talks progress, the plan is for Soler to make the move to the Premier League this January. While the transfer window is still weeks away, Bournemouth seems to be ahead in the race for the promising young full-back.
West Ham United’s £46m January transfer window predicted with Leeds United and Bournemouth deals
West Ham United had an eventful summer transfer window as they geared up for Julen Lopetegui’s inaugural season at the London Stadium.
The Hammers completed several notable signings, including Borussia Dortmund striker Niclas Füllkrug for £22 million, alongside Max Kilman from Wolves and Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United. Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka also joined in a £14 million deal, while Ligue 1 talents Carlos Soler and Jean-Clair Todibo arrived on season-long loans.
The new arrivals have experienced varying levels of success during the first half of the campaign, raising questions about potential reinforcements for Lopetegui in January. Using Football Manager 2024 to simulate the rest of the season, predictions revealed intriguing developments.
Departures
Three seasoned players departed the club in January, all in the final six months of their contracts. Aaron Cresswell moved to Bournemouth, and Michail Antonio joined Brentford, with both deals collectively bringing in £3 million. Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski headed to Saudi Arabia, signing with Damac for £1 million.
Although Vladimir Coufal and Danny Ings attracted interest, they ultimately stayed at the club, signing one-year extensions. Similarly, Arsenal and Juventus showed interest in Lucas Paquetá, while Celtic eyed Tomáš Souček, but both players remained with West Ham.
January Signings
Lopetegui made just two additions during the winter window:
Illan Meslier – The Leeds United goalkeeper was secured for £22 million to take over as the Hammers’ first choice between the posts.
Aleksandar Mitrović – The former Fulham striker returned to the Premier League after West Ham agreed to a £20 million deal with Al-Hilal.
Additionally, a pre-contract agreement was reached with Lille and England midfielder Angel Gomes, who will join the Hammers on a free transfer in the summer.
Season Highlights and Performance
Despite these changes, West Ham’s season was relatively uneventful. Their FA Cup journey ended in the fourth round with a 1-0 loss to Championship side Middlesbrough. However, they achieved a standout 3-0 victory at Anfield against Liverpool, capitalizing on Virgil van Dijk’s early red card. Goals from Mitrović, Souček, and Kilman sealed what was undoubtedly their best result of the season.
The Hammers concluded the campaign in 11th place, capping off a season marked by mediocrity but punctuated with moments of promise.
