Leeds United’s summer transfer window was focused on breaking the recent mould of newly promoted clubs being unable to survive in the Premier League.
On this front, they have made a stellar start, sitting comfortably mid-table, the same number of points away from 20th-place Wolves as they are 1st-place Liverpool. Despite the positive start, survival will still be difficult, and Leeds legend Lucas Radebe has recently spoken about the challenge that the club faces this season.
“I know Daniel Farke has a hard task with a lot of expectations from last season… If we can just survive this season, then hopefully we will get better as the years go by.”
New midfielders Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach are leading the way so far for league goal involvements, with both of them having registered a goal and an assist. While goals have come from all over the pitch, no one from the squad has yet to establish themselves as the consistent source.
It has now been revealed that Leeds could have brought in a prolific forward as they had the opportunity to re-sign a loanee who played an important role in their Championship promotion.
Leeds turned down opportunity to re-sign Solomon
Manor Solomon spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Leeds from his parent club Tottenham Hotspur. During his time at Elland Road, he registered 22 goal involvements in 39 League appearances, which were instrumental in seeing Farke’s side return to the Premier League.
It has now been revealed that Leeds had the chance to re-sign Solomon for a second consecutive loan spell during the summer transfer window but declined to do so.
This report comes from the BBC’s Adam Pope, who explained the 49ers’ decision.
“The situation with Solomon is that I understand Leeds United could have had him back on loan for a second spell from Spurs, but decided to buy Noah Okafor from AC Milan instead… Solomon’s injury record in recent seasons, I believe, was a consideration why United were inclined not to seek a permanent deal for the Israel international.”
Okafor, alongside free transfers Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha, were the main attacking reinforcements Farke received this summer, but given Solomon’s start to the season, the 49ers may be having some regrets about their decision.
Solomon's performances make Leeds rue decision
After Leeds decided not to bring Solomon back, the Israeli forward joined La Liga and Champions League side Villarreal on loan and has had a strong start to the season. For Villarreal and Israel, Solomon has registered two goals and three assists in just a few games for each.
In comparison, Okafor, Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha have three goals between them – at this stage in the season, Solomon is performing better than the three forwards they brought in combined.
Pope cited the injury record of Solomon as a contributing factor behind their choosing Okafor. Since the start of the 22/23 season, Solomon has missed 75 games for club and country through injury, whereas Okafor has only missed 40. The difference is Okafor cost £18 million.
At this point in time, it looks like Leeds made the wrong decision, but if Solomon gets injured or if the three new forwards start to find their feet, then the 49ers may feel vindicated.