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49ers lining up last-gasp Leeds move for £10m "maverick", he'd be Solomon 2.0 - opinion

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke will be hoping for more additions to the playing squad before the end of the summer transfer window next week.

Lukas Nmecha, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Noah Okafor have been added to the group to bolster his options in the final third, but the former Norwich City manager wants more.

daniel-farke-leeds

Earlier this month, the boss said: “There is no doubt we need reinforcements, especially in the offence. Dominic can’t be the only step. We are on a good path, prepared for the first games and I hope when the transfer window is over we have a squad who is capable of fighting because we have one clear target – to stay in this league.”

It is hard to blame Farke for having that stance when you consider that the West Yorkshire outfit have only scored two goals in their first three competitive games: a penalty and a Jayden Bogle goal against Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.

Another winger, on top of the signing of Okafor from AC Milan, is on the agenda and it will be interesting to see who they go for before next Monday's deadline.

One player who has been linked with a move to Elland Road before the end of the window is Tottenham Hotspur forward Manor Solomon, who spent last season on loan in West Yorkshire.

Manor Solomon's impact at Leeds last season

The 26-year-old attacker spent the season on loan to help the Whites win the Championship and earn promotion back to the Premier League at the second time of asking.

Manor-Solomon

Wilfried Gnonto and Dan James were already in the building as wide options for Farke to call upon on the left and the right flanks, but he was able to break into the team and establish himself as a key player for the German boss.

Solomon went on to start 30 of his 39 appearances in the Championship, per Sofascore, on the club's way to hitting a staggering 100 points in the second tier last term.

24/25 Championship Manor Solomon Percentile rank vs wingers

xG 8.14 Top 8%

Goals 10 Top 6%

Shots on target 25 Top 12%

xA 10.30 Top 1%

Chances created 67 Top 5%

Assists 12 Top 3%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Israel international made a huge impact in the final third in those 39 appearances, scoring or creating 22 goals in 30 starts.

These statistics show that he performed consistently in front of goal to win vital points for the Whites with goals and assists that changed and won games in the Championship.

Leeds United's Manor Solomon celebrates scoring their first goal

Leeds United's Manor Solomon celebrates scoring their first goal

Whilst the club may yet look to bring him back before the deadline, the Whites are reportedly looking at another player who could be the new Solomon at Elland Road.

Leeds eyeing move for Nottingham Forest winger

Former Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers chief scout Mick Brown has revealed that the 49ers are eyeing a last-gasp move for Nottingham Forest forward Jota Silva.

Speaking to Football Insider, Brown said: “I hear Leeds are interested in signing Jota Silva. They need new wingers, and he is one of the names on their list of targets.

"When he’s been involved for Forest, he looks busy and bright, always looking to make things happen and not afraid to get on the ball. He likes to get at people and he’s capable of producing in the final third as well.

“He’s a bit of a maverick, and those types of players are always welcome at Leeds. Forest have signed a number of wide players, and spent a significant amount of money on him, so I hear he is questioning where he fits in."

jota-silva-nottingham-forest

Nottingham Forest's Jota Silva celebrates with Chris Wood.

It was reported by O'Jogo earlier this summer that Sporting were hoping to land him for a fee of around £10m including add-ons, and it remains to be seen if Leeds are prepared to pay that kind of money for his services.

Why Leeds should sign Jota Silva

Leeds should swoop to sign Jota Silva from the Tricky Trees because he could be a more affordable option on the flank, given that Solomon reportedly has a price tag of £20m over his head.

The Whites save £10m and land their next Solomon by signing the Portuguese star, as another winger who has become surplus to requirements at a Premier League side, just as was the case with the Israel international last summer.

manor-Solomon

Jota Silva only started five of his 31 appearances in the Premier League for Forest last season, per Sofascore, but showed glimpses of the kind of quality that he has the potential to provide on a regular basis at that level.

The 26-year-old ace scored three goals and created eight 'big chances' for his teammates in 891 minutes of action, which shows that he was an effective contributor in the final third despite limited minutes on the pitch.

Jota Silva's form for Vitoria in Portugal in the 2023/24 campaign, before his move to England, shows that he can deliver consistent quality on the flank when starting regularly.

23/24 Liga Portugal Jota Silva

Appearances 33

xG 7.99

Goals 11

Big chances created 8

Key passes per game 1.0

Assists 5

Dribbles completed per game 1.3

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Portugal international caught the eye with 19 goals and 'big chances' created in the top division in his country.

These statistics show that he can be an efficient finisher who also looks to create chances for his teammates on a regular basis at the top level, when playing week-in-week-out, which is why he could be an exciting signing for Leeds.

jota-silva-forest

The versatile forward, who can play on the right or the left as a winger, could be the new Solomon at Elland Road by arriving from a Premier League team to light up the flanks in West Yorkshire with his quality in the final third.

Given the difference in price between the two players, Jota Silva may even be a better option than signing Solomon permanently because he has shown that he can deliver in the English top-flight as recently as last season.

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