Maccabi Haifa Holds Firm on Guy Melamed Amid Transfer Speculation

Maccabi Haifa has stated that striker Guy Melamed will not be released from the club at this time, despite reported interest from Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Netanya. As of Friday, September 1, no official offers have been submitted to Maccabi Haifa for the player, nor has Melamed himself requested a transfer. The club maintains that Melamed is still part of their plans and expects him to receive playing time, noting that the team's other forwards have not yet fully demonstrated their capabilities in pre-season games. However, sources suggest that only an exceptionally attractive trade deal that significantly strengthens Maccabi Haifa's squad could potentially change the club's stance. Melamed is considered a top-tier Israeli player, a rarity in the current market. Furthermore, Maccabi Haifa is hesitant to strengthen a direct rival in the league's upper echelon, especially a player who remains in their professional plans, even if not a primary starter. The club has a recent history of avoiding such transfers.