(Football news) Fulham are close to making their first major signing this transfer window as Manor Solomon from Shakhtar Donetsk is close to joining them. The club have been in talks with the 22-year-old winger for quite some time and the move hit an impasse in recent weeks. However, according to reports the talks have now progressed again, with Solomon very close to joining newly-promoted side Fulham for a fee around €7 million (£5.98 million).
The Israel international had attracted interest from multiple clubs around the world, including Torino and Club Bruges, but his first choice was always Fulham. Solomon has ampel Champions League experience, he has also has 30 appearances for Israel, scoring six goals. This season he scored four times for Shakhtar in 16 league appearances before the Ukrainian Premier League was stopped by the Russian invasion. In 2020-21, Solomon came into the limelight when he scored twice in the Champions League in two group stage games against Real Madrid, while in 2019 he scored against Manchester City to earn his side a well deserved 1-1 draw at the same stage.
Solomon is poised to become Fulham's first signing of the summer after their deal with Thomas Strakosha failed because of his high wage demands. Losing Fabio Carvalho to Liverpool was the main reason behind recruiting Solomon to replace him, who will have been of the utmost importance at Craven Cottage next season. The bid to sign Solomon is certainly a step in the right direction and an ideal replacement for Carvalho as he can play in behind the striker as a number 10 or out on the left-wing. Fulham fans will be hoping that he can adjust to English football quickly and hit the ground running for Silva’s side.
Solomon may not be quite as much of a goal threat as Carvalho with a record of 22 goals in 106 games. However, he has plenty of experience playing against big oppositions at the top level, having sustained his place in the Israel squad since earning his first call-up in 2018 and has played a number of games in the Champions League for Shakhtar. Not only that, but the fact that he is only 22 makes the deal even better for Fulham. The Championship winners are reportedly in talks to sign Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno who has fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates. Fulham are in the market for a striker and are battling West Ham United for the signing of Watford’s Emmanuel Dennis.
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