Fulham will Shakhtar Donetsk winger Manor Solomon for £10 million less than the few they were willing to pay during the January transfer window, the winger’s former Maccabi Petah Tikva chairman tells One.
We’re not even cracking open our Easter Eggs yet but Fulham are already on the verge of completing their first signing of the summer. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail after all.
Solomon, a one-time Manchester City target who earned comparisons with Eden Hazard after scoring twice against Real Madrid in the Champions League a couple of years ago, will fill a Fabio Carvalho-shaped hole in Marco Silva’s frontline at Craven Cottage.
The 22-year-old is set to sign a £25,000-a-week contract until 2027. And it is understood that Fulham will pay just £5 million, with Israeli publication One claiming that the Championship leaders have agreed a knock-down fee after Shakhtar slashed Solomon’s price-tag following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
- READ MORE: Fulham’s XI if they kept their top stars
Fulham’s gain, however, with be Petah Tikvah’s loss. Financially speaking, anyway.
Fabio Carvalho’s replacement
Solomon started his career at the Israel giants before moving to Shakhtar in 2019. And a £5 million move to Craven Cottage – rather than a £15 million one – means Petah Tikvah will miss out on a substantial cash windfall via a sell-on clause in Solomon’s contract.
“Maccabi Petah Tikva will lose over 1.5 million euros from (Solomon’s) move to Fulham,” says chairman Avi Luzon.
“In January, Shakhtar had an offer from Fulham for 18 million euros (£15 million).
“If they had sold him for that amount in January, and not as Fulham would pay now, then we would have had over a million and a half euros. Fulham benefited, took advantage of the situation in Ukraine.”
- How Rangers’ XI could look in 22/23, including 5 new signings
- How West Ham’s XI could look in 22/23 with 4 new signings
Preparing for life in the Premier League for the third time in the last four years, Fulham will once again spend big in the summer with Solomon the first of many new faces.
The Cottagers also want Internacional winger Caio Vidal and former West Ham youngster Josh Cullen. Alphonse Areola could also make a return to West London.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
