Manor Solomon could have ended up playing for one of five clubs on deadline day as Leeds United’s Championship hero eventually left Tottenham Hotspur late on Monday.
Rewind three months, and Solomon had just scored the goal that secured Leeds the Championship title, away at Plymouth. After a tricky start with Daniel Farke’s side, Solomon had a hand in 23 goals and assists.
Solomon chose to try his luck at Tottenham this summer with Thomas Frank installed as new manager and attempt to win his place back. Injury in pre-season has not helped Solomon, and he has now exited.
Going into deadline day, it was reported that Solomon wanted to join a Premier League club. Either he realised he wasn’t going to get game time at Spurs, or Frank informed him that he was not in his plans.
Manor Solomon playing for Leeds.
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Manor Solomon on ‘crazy 24 hours’ after Leeds linked with move
On deadline day, Solomon could have ended up going into September with one of four clubs. Leeds are said to have considered a reunion with Solomon after missing out on Facundo Buonanotte to Chelsea.
Leeds chose not to sign Solomon and go after Harry Wilson, which ended in failure. Leicester were touted to make a shock move for winger Solomon, and Crystal Palace then entered talks on a loan-to-buy basis.
From a potential return to Leeds, to a shock move to Leicester or Palace, to staying at Tottenham, he then finally made a move late on Monday night. The Spanish window closed four hours later at 10.59pm.
It allowed Villarreal to swoop and sign Solomon on a straight-loan deal, no clauses. Ironically, Villarreal’s first Champions League opponents are Tottenham, and Solomon described the last 24 hours as “crazy”.
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Where does Solomon’s long-term future lie after Villarreal move?
Joining Tottenham at the start of the 2023-24 season and tearing his meniscus six games into his Spurs spell, the winger penned a five-year deal in North London and finds himself two years into that deal.
But Spurs signed Solomon on a free transfer after Shakhtar Donetsk were forced to give him up. While Spurs have free rein in charging what they want given his deal ends in 2028, any fee will be PSR profit.
The chances are, Solomon has little future at Tottenham given the competition, unless he absolutely sparkles for Villarreal. But it is win-win for Spurs, a good season for Villarreal will also increase his value.
Leeds are in exactly the same boat with Mateo Joseph. A sale will be pure profit when it comes to Joseph and are hoping a straight loan to La Liga will increase his value before a permanent exit next summer.