Shakhtar Donetsk’s chief executive, Serhiy Palkin, has accused Tottenham Hotspur of taking advantage of the Ukraine war to sign Manor Solomon on a free transfer last summer. The move was made possible after FIFA introduced a rule allowing non-Ukrainian nationals playing in Ukraine to suspend their contracts due to the war. As Solomon’s contract was set to expire at the end of 2023, he was able to suspend it until it expired, denying Shakhtar the opportunity to receive a fee for one of their most valuable players.
Tottenham therefore signed the 24-year-old without paying a transfer fee, which Palkin believes is unacceptable. Despite negotiations to find a compromise, Palkin has branded Tottenham’s efforts as “disrespectful” and threatened legal action. In an interview with The Telegraph, Palkin expressed his disappointment and frustration, stating that Tottenham’s behavior is not acceptable for a club of their history and stature.
Palkin values Solomon at around £21million and was willing to forgo a compensation fee in exchange for a sell-on clause that would give Shakhtar a percentage of any future transfer fee. However, Tottenham offered only 10%, which Palkin deemed “not serious” and “not respectful.” Shakhtar have already taken legal action against Lyon over a similar dispute and may do the same with Tottenham.
The situation could potentially affect Tottenham’s interest in signing Shakhtar playmaker Georgiy Sudakov, who is expected to join a top European club this summer. Sudakov has admirers in north London, but the rift between Shakhtar and Tottenham may complicate any potential transfer.
Solomon made six appearances for Tottenham last season before suffering a meniscus injury in October that ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign. The dispute between Shakhtar and Tottenham highlights the complexities and challenges of transfer dealings during times of conflict and crisis.