Beitar Jerusalem Eyes Major Signings of Serena and Azou
Beitar Jerusalem is on the verge of completing two significant player acquisitions. The club is set to sign midfielder Alexis Serna from Colombian club Deportivo Independiente Medellín and acquire Ori Azou from Maccabi Tel Aviv on loan with an option to buy. These moves are being driven by the request of professional director Almog Cohen, who seeks to bolster the team's midfield and wing capabilities.
Serna is expected to strengthen the central midfield, while Azou, known for his dribbling skills on the wing, has been a long-term target for Cohen since his time as professional director at Maccabi Netanya. Cohen believes Azou can achieve a significant career breakthrough under his guidance.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has agreed to lower the potential transfer fee for Azou to NIS 1.2 million, which Beitar Jerusalem interprets as a sign that Maccabi is not counting on the player. Beitar hopes to replicate the success story of Yarin Levi, who flourished at Beitar after not being utilized by Maccabi Haifa.
The agreement for Azou, who will wear the number 23 jersey, stipulates that if he plays at least 50 percent of the available minutes, Beitar will have the option to purchase 50 percent of his playing rights. The club expressed satisfaction with the deal, stating, "Anyone who has trained with Azou understands the potential this kid has; he will help Beitar a lot, and we hope he stays here for years to come."
