Israeli Club Offers $3 Million to Juan Cuadrado, Who Declines

Colombian international Juan Cuadrado, 38, reportedly rejected a $3 million offer from an Israeli Premier League club, according to a report published Tuesday night in Colombia. Journalist Alexis Rodriguez claimed Cuadrado also turned down offers from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as he is aiming to play in Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States or in the Mexican league. A return to his native Colombia after 17 years abroad is not currently an option for the player.

Cuadrado, who plays as an attacking winger or right-back, spent last season with Italian club Pisa, scoring one goal in 19 Serie A appearances. In related news, Maccabi Tel Aviv recently signed another prominent right-back, James Tavernier, who has arrived in Israel and is expected to officially join the team soon.

Cuadrado has had a decorated career, starting in Europe with Udinese, then Lecce, before becoming a star at Fiorentina. This led to a move to Chelsea, followed by an unsuccessful stint in England. He then returned to Italy for eight years with Juventus, before playing for Inter Milan, Atalanta, and most recently Pisa. The original report did not specify which Israeli club had expressed interest in the player, considered one of the greatest Colombians of all time.