Manor Solomon is closing in on a move to Elland Road
Manor Solomon could be unveiled as Leeds United’s sixth summer signing today. The Israeli international is poised to join the Championship club on a season-long loan deal from Tottenham Hotspur.
Daniel Farke has seen his front line decimated this summer with Georginio Rutter’s £40m sale to Brighton following the earlier departure of Cryscencio Summerville to West Ham United, leaving the Whites low on options in attack.
Mateo Joseph, Dan James and Willy Gnonto impressed in Friday’s Yorkshire derby against Sheffield Wednesday. Brenden Aaronson also saw his name on the scoresheet, leaving Solomon and Ramazani with work to do to earn a place in the starting XI.
But who is Solomon? Here is everything you need to know about the 25-year-old.
Background
Solomon was born in Kfar Saba, Israel to parents Ayala and Yossi and came through the ranks of Israeli Premier League side Maccabi Petah Tikva, making his senior debut at 17. After impressing in the introductory stages of his career in his home nation, Shakhtar Donetsk made an approach to bring the then 19-year-old to the Ukrainian giants.
The Israel international enjoyed four years in the famous orange-and-black stripes, scoring against the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid and Atalanta in the Champions League. His stay in Eastern Europe came to a prompt end when a FIFA ruling allowed foreign players playing in Ukraine to temporarily suspend their club contracts following the Russian invasion in 2022.
A move to Fulham beckoned, where Solomon became the first Israeli to score in three consecutive Premier League games; going on a run of five in five in all competitions, for what would be his only goals during his 24 game spell with the Cottagers.Remaining in a white shirt in the following season, Solomon switched West London for North as he penned a five-year deal at Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer.
Solomon has gone through an admittedly tough opening to life at Spurs. After featuring in five of the club’s opening seven league fixtures under Ange Postecoglou, he suffered a season-ending injury in early October that required surgery on the meniscus of his right knee.
Summer interest in Solomon
Following Postecoglou making it clear there would be departures from Spurs, it was said that Solomon’s preference was to remain in England; possibly to be further under the eye of the Australian manager with an eye of reinvigorating his career with the English giants.
Solomon is believed to have rejected a continental advancement from Getafe amidst his desire to remain in England. However, there was rumoured to be Premier League interest from Ipswich Town and Leicester City in Solomon. Sheffield United and Norwich City also expressed an interest in procuring Solomon’s services, but appear to have been beaten to the deal by the Whites.
Why do Leeds want him?
Work needed to be done in the transfer window for Leeds after a frustrating few weeks has seen the departures of Summerville and Rutter, leaving gaping holes to be filled in the Whites front line. The arrival of Ramazani from Almeria on Thursday proved the intent to move forward with a replenished attack, but there was still a gap to be plugged.
That isn’t to say Leeds will not go one step further and sign an out-and-out number 9 before the transfer window closes as Patrick Bamford injury woes continue, but Solomon is a welcome addition as an adaptable winger who can also fill in as a No 10 when required.