Hapoel Tel Aviv are trying to bridge the remaining differences in talks with winger Timothee Diarra as they prepare for the 2026/27 season. The club was drawn on Wednesday night against Bulgarian side Ludogorets in the second qualifying round of the Conference League.
Diarra, who plays for French club Reims, is considered Hapoel Tel Aviv's leading candidate after the sale of Luisos Loizou to Red Star Belgrade. The two clubs have already agreed on a transfer fee of 1.5 million euros.
Negotiations over Diarra's personal contract have been under way for about a week, but gaps remain between the sides. Diarra is trying to maximize the deal and is also examining other offers.
Inside the club, there is strong desire to land him because he knows the league and life in Israel, which would reduce his adjustment time. Another factor is that his close friend, Fernan Maemybo, is the team's captain. Hapoel's coaching staff has alternatives ready, but for now the club does not want to move on to other names until it has fully exhausted the talks.