Shakhtar Donetsk CEO Sergei Palkin has threatened to sue Tottenham Hotspur if the North London club signs free agent Manor Solomon this summer.
Solomon built his name at Shakhtar Donetsk, but after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, FIFA declared that Ukraine-based players could suspend their contracts, which Solomon took advantage of to sign a one-year loan agreement with Fulham last July (Daily Mail).
This season, Marco Silva primarily utilized the winger as an impact substitute from the bench, but he has showed enough promise to pique Spurs’ interest.
The Athletic claimed last month that while Fulham want to sign the Israeli international to a long-term contract this summer, Spurs are also interested, with the Lilywhites currently ‘in the front of the queue’ for the 23-year-old.
However, Palkin has now stated that it would be unjust if Shaktar did not get a fee for the attacker and has even threatened Tottenham with legal action if he is signed on a free transfer.
“I contacted Solomon and his agent and invited him back to our club,” Shakhtar’s president told ESPN.
“I told him, ‘You can play all the Champions League games, you’ll be in the starting eleven,’ but he doesn’t want to leave, and I believe he’ll stay in England.”
“Finally, I’m not sure where he’ll go. In any event, if you travel to Tottenham, we will have to deal with Tottenham in court. Everything boils down to a basic situation: it appears to be unjust enrichment.
“Can you imagine we paid a lot of money for this player and then Tottenham gets him for free?” It’s not right in terms of our club. We will undoubtedly go to court and fight for our rights.
Spurs Online Opinion
One can see why Shakhtar feels wronged in this circumstance, but they should sue FIFA because they are the ones who implemented the rule that permitted Ukraine-based players to suspend their contracts.
Tottenham would be doing nothing wrong by signing a player who is currently on the market.
However, I wonder if the potential of a needless legal struggle will deter Spurs and Fulham from pursuing the 23-year-old.
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