Transfer Centre

Tottenham Hotspur to swoop for Manor Solomon?

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 28 May 2023

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly plotting a move for Fulham loanee Manor Solomon, who is set to leave Shakhtar Donetsk on a free transfer this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly weighing up a summer move for Shakhtar Donetsk attacker Manor Solomon, whose loan spell with Fulham will soon come to an end.

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine last year, Solomon departed Shakhtar for Craven Cottage on a temporary deal after his contract with his parent club was suspended.

After debuting against Liverpool on the opening weekend, a serious knee injury sidelined Solomon for four months, but the Israel international has since proven to be a useful option off the bench for Marco Silva with four goals in 18 Premier League games.

During a February purple patch, Solomon scored in three successive substitute appearances against Nottingham Forest, Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers, before starting and finding the back of the net in a subsequent loss to Brentford.

However, the attacker is still being restricted to cameo roles thanks to the form of Willian and Harry Wilson, with his most recent start coming in a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa on April 25.

Manor Solomon celebrates scoring for Fulham against Brentford on March 6, 2023 © Reuters

As things stand, Solomon will depart the Cottagers at the end of the season, and he is technically still tied down to Shakhtar Donetsk until the end of December, but he could soon sever ties with the Ukrainian giants.

On Monday, FIFA announced that Ukraine and Russian-based players would be able to suspend their contracts with teams in either nation for the 2023-24 seasons, meaning that Solomon is set to leave Shakhtar on a free transfer this year.

According to The Athletic, Tottenham have shown an interest in signing Solomon this summer, but Fulham are not giving up hope of signing the Israel attacker on a permanent deal.

The report adds that the Lilywhites will be the frontrunners to sign Solomon if he does not remain at Craven Cottage, but the 23-year-old has not come to a final decision.

Furthermore, clubs outside of the Premier League are believed to be keeping a close eye on the situation, as Solomon prepares to end a three-and-a-half-year spell at Shakhtar.

Manor Solomon celebrates scoring for Skakhtar Donetsk on October 21, 2020 © Reuters

The former Maccabi Petah Tikva youngster joined the Ukrainian powerhouses in January 2019 and has since recorded 22 goals and nine assists in 106 games for the club, winning two top-flight titles in the process.

Tottenham bolstered their attacking ranks in January with the loan signing of Arnaut Danjuma from Villarreal, but the Dutchman has only been a bit-part player in North London and is set to return to the Yellow Submarine this summer.

Furthermore, Dejan Kulusevski is still on loan at the club from Juventus, and his obligation to buy will not be triggered as Spurs failed to qualify for the 2023-24 Champions League.

Tottenham still possess the option to make Kulusevski's stay permanent, though, and they are expected to fork out the £30m required to prise him away from Turin for good, while Lucas Moura is confirmed to be leaving when his contract expires at the end of the season.