Maccabi Haifa Nears Deal for Portuguese Winger Pedro Brazão

Israeli football club Maccabi Haifa is reportedly on the verge of signing Portuguese winger Pedro Brazão from Turkish second-division side Bodrum. The deal, which seemed unlikely earlier in the summer, has become more feasible as negotiations progressed.

Initially, Brazão was offered to Maccabi Haifa at the beginning of the summer, but the club's interest intensified after an injury to player Manuel Benson. Bodrum's initial asking price was close to 2 million euros, a sum Maccabi Haifa deemed too high, halting the transfer at the time. Brazão himself was also hesitant to move to Israel, preferring to play in a more prominent European league, and other clubs showed interest but no deal materialized.

As European transfer windows closed, Brazão's options narrowed, making Maccabi Haifa a more attractive prospect. Concurrently, Bodrum reportedly lowered their asking price by approximately half, bringing the transfer within Maccabi Haifa's financial reach. Brazão reportedly consulted with former Israeli league players, including William Cyprian of Maccabi Netanya and Dylan Batubinsika, who recommended the move to Haifa.

Maccabi Haifa confirmed negotiations with the winger, emphasizing their need for reinforcements in that position. The club hopes to finalize the deal soon.