Leeds United loan for Manor Solomon expired this summer, while their pursuit of Igor Paixao ended up leaving them empty handed.
They are not the only two wingers Leeds United have looked at this summer, but Manor Solomon has left a hole in the squad that Igor Paixao did not end up filling.
However, perhaps most crucially, it has become clear that Leeds are also looking at wingers on both flanks now and not just left-sided profiles who are like-for-like with Paixao. That element is particularly vital, giving them a wider market to operate in.
The Athletic’s Beren Cross believes Leeds have pitched to several wingers in recent weeks, and there has been movement on that front more recently following the Paixao snub.
Dilane Bakwa has been mooted alongside Bilal El Khannouss, with Cross reiterating they are a duo Leeds like and either could yet be signed before the transfer deadline at the start of September. We also think Bakwa could be a better fit for Leeds than Paixao.
Graham Smyth explains Leeds United’s stance on Jon Rowe and Manor Solomon
Last summer, Leeds prioritised a deal for Norwich City’s Jon Rowe. After a difficult season in which he lacked game time due to fitness, Rowe has been linked with a move to Leeds again.
Marseille want £17 million for Rowe after swiping Paixao from under Leeds’ nose. Solomon also continues to be mentioned in conversations regarding Leeds and wingers.
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Graham Smyth has explained the latest via the Inside Elland Road Podcast. He said: “The intention has always been to sign offensive quality. The noises are that Leeds are trying. Leeds are working on stuff. Leeds are looking into things.
“It’s just that nothing appears to be imminent right now. And that’s what puts people on edge — fans and also Farke. But he knows how emotional this fan base is; he says it all the time.
“I think it’s maybe played into the what we’re seeing at the minute, which is I think we’re quite close to a, you know, there’s like a semi-regular meltdown around the club.
“It feels like we’re kind of we’re building to one when we talk about do you maybe lower your sights? Well, I mean, ultimately you are lowering your sights, aren’t you?
“Because Paixao was number one. He was what they felt was a unique opportunity that wasn’t available to them and then suddenly was so they had a go at it and they took a swing. They do feel that there are other players at that level.
“But I think Paixao showed how difficult it would be to get one of those players. So, if you’re lowering your sights and your standards, right? And I’ve seen people talking about Jonathan Rowe, which seems a natural name.
“And Marseille have gone and got Paixao and they’ve got Weah and it looks like he’d probably be a player that they might consider letting go. But when you look at it, right, he’s how old is he?
“He’s 22. He’s got 13 games in the Premier League without scoring a goal and got one assist. Last year in Ligue 1, he got three goals and three assists. In the championship, 12 goals, two assists, from 35 games.
“He’s a long way off Igor Paixao in terms of a this player will come in and will score and will create at Premier League level. You’re kind of going on potential there, aren’t you? And hoping that he can catch fire in the Premier League and continue to develop.
“Maybe off the back of his his top league experience last year, but he he didn’t exactly light it up in terms of end product anyway. And then it makes me think, well, do you just go and do a Solomon?
“You know, I know that the feeling at Leeds was that the first price that they were quoted this summer was not what they felt was a reasonable price for for Manor Solomon given, you know, the context around him.
“So, they went and looked elsewhere. Is it just going to be a case of Paraag nudging Robbie Evans and Robbie Evans nudging Adam Underwood and saying, ‘Go and get Solomon’.”
Manor Solomon playing for Leeds.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Will Leeds United make a move for Spurs’ Manor Solomon?
Not every loan player should be made permanent, but you could make the case for someone with 23 goal involvements in one season for the club.
Although Solomon has been linked with Leeds, Daniel Farke has poured some cold water on a reunion for Solomon somewhat of late. Zigzagging around the possibility of signing him in a ‘will he, won’t he’ situation has been the case all summer, though.
Indeed, Solomon’s social media post appeared to be a Leeds farewell previously as it was claimed Thomas Frank wanted to assess Solomon upon his arrival at Spurs.
It is also precisely why Leeds need Solomon replacements, even if Dan James, Willy Gnonto, and Largie Ramazani are all exciting options in their own right.