Leeds United were never likely to have a clear run at arguably the most influential forward in the whole of the Championship.
According to reports emerging in the aftermath of Leeds United’s 2-0 midweek win over Millwall, Everton have joined the race for a player valued at £20 million.
The Toffees are far from the first top-flight outfit to be credited with an interest, although it is hard to imagine either Southampton or Leicester City negotiating from a position of much strength as relegation looms.
Fortunately, it appears that Leeds’ desire to retain Manor Solomon’s services on a permanent basis is a desire shared by the player himself.
Tottenham loanee Solomon is loving life at Elland Road. And while he is determined to take another stab at Premier League football after injury hit spells with Fulham and Spurs, the Israel international knows that, by staying put, he could make those dreams into a reality.
Leeds leapfrogged Sheffield United into top spot while moving two points clear on Wednesday night. The ‘exciting’ Manor Solomon was a standout performer versus Millwall yet again.
It was his cross deflected into his own net by Jake Cooper with just three minutes on the clock.
Due to the way assists are recorded in English football, Solomon’s tally stays on eight. Yet, with 15 goal contributions now as a Leeds player, the former Shakhtar Donestk winger feels certain to end the season in ‘double double’ territory.
Don Goodman thinks Leeds United will sign Tottenham loanee Manor Solomon
Don Goodman, the EFL pundit who represented West Brom, Sunderland and Wolves as a striker in his playing days, could have guessed that other clubs would come calling for Solomon at some point or another.
Yet, he feels that the speed in which Solomon has settled into life at Leeds makes it increasingly likely that he will be kicking off the 2024/25 season in a white shirt.
Presuming Leeds are a Premier League team by then, of course.
“I think Manor Solomon has been exceptional,” Goodman tells Football League World, Solomon ousting Willy Gnonto and Largie Ramazani to become Farke’s go-to left-winger. “So I’m not surprised there are other Premier League clubs sniffing around him.
“The fact he’s become a regular and held down a position after overcoming injury when Leeds have so much talent available in those wide areas is testament to how well he’s done and how highly Daniel Farke rates him.
“I do think Leeds have the advantage over the others as I’ve read quotes saying that he’s loving life in the city of Leeds and at the football club, while feeling very settled there.
“So, with all that being said, provided Leeds get to the Premier League, he will sign permanently for them in the summer.”
Solomon hailed Elland Road crowd after Leeds beat Millwall
Anyone who watched Solomon thrive in the Champions League with Shakhtar – he scored in the competition against both Real Madrid and Manchester City – might have expected that this would be a player far too good for England’s second tier.
So it has proved.
And, not for the first time, Solomon was glowing in his praise for one of European football’s most passionate fanbases following a win which puts a four-point buffer between Leeds and Burnley in third.
“Playing in Elland Road has been really amazing for me,” Solomon beamed. “I like the atmosphere here, I like the fans, especially when we are winning. We feel this push from the fans here at Elland Road and even away, with our fans.
“So it’s really special to play here.”
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