Arsenal and Man City target Manor Solomon hints at Premier League move this summer

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 19 May 2021 14:24 BST
• 3 min read

Shakhtar winger Manor Solomon has confirmed his desire to play in the Premier League at some point in his career and suggested a move to England could happen as early as this summer.

Arsenal and Man City have been mentioned as interested parties, with Pep Guardiola’s side even coming close to sealing a move for the tricky wide man a couple of years ago, only to be put off by then-club Maccabi Petah Tikva’s €10m asking price.

Late last year, Solomon confirmed to the Guardian about the talks with City, and his club owner requesting too high a transfer fee.

“They really wanted me and I had a meeting with them but unfortunately it did not work out,” the Israel international revealed.

“I played against them with Shakhtar and it was a really good point for us but in the end, it didn’t help us to qualify. It was also very special to play against Manchester City and Pep Guardiola and to score.

“Clubs in Europe don’t look at the Israeli league as a strong league, so they don’t buy players from the Israeli league for such big money. My owner in Israel demanded a lot of money; he wanted €5m for me and then he heard it was Manchester City, he wanted €10m.”

Premier League move still on for Solomon?

Solomon has excelled since his move to Shakhtar, including on the biggest stage in the Champions League in the aforementioned games versus Man City last season.

Even at 21-years-old, he has arguably outgrown the Ukrainian top flight, and according to the player himself, it might not be long before he reaches the Premier League.

“There are talks with teams from England,” he Sport5.

“There are things that can happen in the summer.

“My dream is to play in England and it also seems to be the most realistic option for me. And teams in England can pay.”

As for a move to Arsenal, Solomon was offered to director of football Edu by agent Pini Zahavi, with Football London previously reporting that contact had already been made with the Gunners about a potential future transfer.

What kind of player is he?

Solomon’s best attributes are undoubtedly his pace and his ability to dribble with the ball quickly, typically coming inside on to his left foot from his position on the right wing.

However, he is equally adept using both feet, and so can play in any position across the attacking midfield from the right, to the centre, to the left.

In the 2020/21 Premier Liha, which is in the middle of its long winter break, he has scored three goals in five starts in addition to his two goals scored in the Champions League group stage.

Within the Champions League, he has the seventh best tally for dribbles completed in the competition so far with 4.1 per 90 minutes, putting him alongside such players as Neymar and Lionel Messi.

Shakhtar completed the double over Real Madrid in the group stage, with him scoring in both matches.

He has already helped the Ukrainian side to title wins in 2018/19 and 2019/20.