The signature of Solomon’s Villarreal on Israeli International Manner regarding the transfer deadline has sparked a backlash from fans.
Released on September 2, 2025
Spanish club Villarreal has faced backlash from several fans after a last minute contract to sign an Israeli player who publicly supported his country in the war with Gaza.
Some fans criticized Villarreal through social media posts after the club signed forward Manor Solomon near the end of the transfer deadline late Monday.
Solomon, 26, arrives after Villarreal has launched a loan agreement with Tottenham.
Israel International played on loan last season with Leeds United. He was promoted to the Premier League.
Solomon had already been criticized by some British fans after posting a message in support of Israel in the war.
He previously played for Fram and Ukrainian club Shakhtardnetsk.
Bundesliga 2 side Fortuna Dusseldorf signed Israeli striker Symphony Weissman last month after fans’ rage over social media posts about the Gaza War.
The 29-year-old, who has 33 international caps, made several social media posts after October 7, 2023.
German newspaper Bild reported that Weissmann called on Israel to “wipe Gaza off the map” and “drop 200 tons of bombs.”
Villarreal among the busiest Spanish clubs during the transfer period
Solomon’s signature concluded Villarreal’s busy transfer window, returning to the Champions League this season.
According to the Transfermark website, clubs in eastern Spain spent 100 million euros ($116 million) signing. Playmaker Alex Bena has earned roughly the same as a sale to Atletico Madrid, Yahmy Pino to Crystal Palace and Everton to striker Tiano Barry.
Other signatures by Villarreal in this window included Striker Georges Mikautadze of Lyon and Chelsea defender Renato Veiga.
Villarreal’s first Champions League opponent will be Solomon’s former club Tottenham on September 16th.
Renovation in Atletico Madrid
Atletico is Spain’s most spent club, with more than 175 million euros ($203 million) in new signatures totaling more than 175 million euros ($203 million) according to TransherMarkt. In addition to Baena, Diego Simeone’s club has also added Fayenode defender David Hanco, Real Betis midfielder Johnny Caldoso, Juventus forward Nico Gonzalez and Brazilian Club Botafogo playmaker Thiago Armada.
Top 3 in Real Madrid
Madrid was the second-highest Spender, with over 167 million euros ($194 million), but it was the top three most expensive signatures. I paid 62.5 million euros ($72 million) for Defender Dean Huijsen, 50 million euros ($58 million) for left-back Alvaro Carreras and 45 million euros ($52 million) from the river board from Teenage Franco Mastantuono. Madrid also signed Trent Alexander Arnold from Liverpool for 10 million euros ($11 million).
Everything in front of Barcelona is quiet
Barcelona still can’t spend much on regulating financial fair play. The Catalan club paid Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia 25 million euros ($29 million) and was responsible for lending forward Marcus Rashford’s loan from Manchester United. He also added a young forward Rooney Baldosi from Copenhagen for 2.5 million euros ($2.9 million), Transfer Markt said.
The rest of the Liga
According to TransferMarkt, Real Betis also made the headline by signing Antony for 22 million euros ($25 million) from Manchester United. Sevilla advanced Alexis Sanchez with a free transfer of veteran Chillian, but Getafe sent Christantus Uche on a loan to Crystal Palace to try and clear the pay cap space.
