Manor Solomon superb performances could make summer deal trickier for Fulham to complete

Manor Solomon’s eye-catching displays for Fulham could make it harder for the west Londoners to keep the Israeli international beyond this season.

The 23-year-old signed for the Whites in the summer but is still contracted longer term to Shakhtar Donetsk.

Fulham exercised a rule that allowed Ukraine-based players, who are not nationals there, to suspend their contract.

Solomon suffered knee ligament on his debut, the 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Craven Cottage, but made his return in January. And he has looked increasingly the real deal after regaining his match sharpness.

His excellent curled finish in Tuesday’s FA Cup win over Leeds United, combining with Aleksandar Mitrovic, was a carbon copy of the goal he scored in last Friday’s 1-1 draw against Wolves. Solomon has netted in Fulham’s last four matches – again underlining excellent composure and technique when he converted in the smash-and-grab raid on Brighton early last month.

Reports have suggested that Fulham are in talks over extending Brazilian veteran Willian’s contract. Solomon is vying with Willian, 34, for the left-sided wide spot, although he did switch flanks with Harry Wilson at one point against Leeds, and is a longer-term option.

The Whites are into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the first time since 2010.

Joao Palhinha’s sensational long-distance goal put them ahead against Leeds but the hosts rode their luck defensively to somehow keep a clean sheet.

Silva made several changes to his starting line up.

Palhinha, so dynamic in the middle of the park, was never going to be one to get a rest as he will miss the next two matches, starting with Monday’s derby at Brentford, after collecting 10 Premier League cautions.

It will be the first ever top-flight fixture between the two sides.

Fulham won the reverse fixture 3-2 in August.