Leeds United surpassed most expectations in their first season back in the Premier League, finishing 14th and ending the campaign above several clubs with far more established top-flight credentials.
While survival was never really in doubt for Daniel Farke’s side, it was a very different story elsewhere. West Ham’s 14-year stay in the Premier League came to an end with relegation, while Tottenham endured another underwhelming campaign, finishing far closer to the relegation battle than they would have liked for a second successive season.
Leeds, though, knows there is no room for complacency. Strengthening the squad remains a priority this summer, especially with Tottenham wasting little time in the transfer market as they look to ensure they are not dragged into another difficult season.
A reshuffle is also expected in north London, with Spurs prepared to offload several players who are no longer part of their long-term plans. One of those is former Leeds favourite Manor Solomon, whose time at Tottenham now appears to be drawing to a close as the club presses ahead with its summer rebuild.
However, the winger has conceded that he wanted to join Leeds last summer.
Manor Solomon reveals he wanted Leeds United last summer
The Israeli winger has admitted that he loved his loan spell at Elland Road, where he helped the Whites to earn promotion to the Premier League.
He revealed that Leeds were in talks with Tottenham over signing him on a permanent deal last summer. However, he feels an injury during pre-season ended his chances of either staying at Spurs or returning to Elland Road.
“I really connected with Leeds; it’s a club that will always be in my heart. Especially the fans, they’re amazing”, Solomon told Sport5.
“When I stepped onto the field for my first game and heard the Leeds fans, I told myself, ‘I’ve come to the right place.’ At the end of the season, I wanted to be at Tottenham or Leeds. The club presidents were talking about me, and the price was high.
“We had a conversation with Tottenham before I arrived for training; they said they wanted me to stay and that the coach liked me, but after six training sessions, I got injured. Leeds’ interest had waned.”
Leeds will not rekindle interest in the Spurs winger
Manor Solomon was a key figure in Leeds United’s promotion-winning campaign, producing important goals and assists as the club secured a return to the Premier League in 2024/25.
It was no surprise, then, that a permanent return to Elland Road was widely discussed last summer. Despite the rumours, though, Leeds never made a serious move to sign him from Tottenham.
Instead, Daniel Farke opted to bring in Noah Okafor, convinced the Swiss forward was a better fit for the squad. Looking at how Okafor performed last season, that decision has been vindicated.
Solomon, meanwhile, has struggled to build on the success he enjoyed at Leeds. Loan spells with Villarreal and Fiorentina failed to get his career back on track, and he found it difficult to make a lasting impact at either club.
Leeds have also evolved tactically since his departure. Farke’s current system places less emphasis on traditional wingers, meaning Solomon no longer fits the profile the club are looking for. Given how the squad has developed, a return to Elland Road now seems highly unlikely.
