Maccabi Tel Aviv Pursues Eighth Foreign Player Amid Transfer Window Pressure

Maccabi Tel Aviv's professional director, Steven Vanaeren, is determined to strengthen the team by acquiring an eighth foreign player before the transfer window closes in less than a week. Vanaeren's primary target is a right-winger, with Cameroonian player Morgan Bailly being a key target. Vanaeren has been in contact with Bailly and his agent, attempting to arrange a loan deal with an option to buy. However, the club has not yet freed up a roster spot for an additional foreign player.

The team is also considering freezing the contract of striker Yonatan Nicolao, although their preference is to loan him to another Israeli team or a club in a league where the transfer window remains open. Nicolao's absence from training on Tuesday led some players to believe he had departed, similar to the situation with Kervin Andrade. It was later clarified that Nicolao missed training due to a medical examination.

In addition to the foreign winger pursuit, Vanaeren is also working to sign an Israeli striker. This effort faces challenges as both Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel Haifa are reportedly blocking potential transfers for Guy Melamed and Alon Turgeman, respectively. Vanaeren remains committed to finalizing deals until the very last moment.