Maccabi Netanya Pursues Midfielder Amidst Transfer Deadline Drama

Maccabi Netanya is actively seeking to strengthen its squad on the final day of the transfer window, having recently signed winger Isaac from Brazil and Olivier Verdon, a defender from Benin.

The club's pursuit of Malian midfielder Habib Keita has stalled after his current team, Kolzaspor, demanded a €700,000 transfer fee. This demand came despite Keita being informed he was a free agent, but his contract stipulated that any purchasing club must pay Toulouse, his former team, the transfer sum.

Following the collapse of negotiations for Keita, whom agent Frank Balhasan had proposed, Netanya turned its attention to Ivorian midfielder Lassin Kourouma, who belongs to Parma in Italy's top league. The 26-year-old had agreed to join Netanya but later withdrew his commitment after receiving offers from CFR Cluj in Romania and second-division Italian clubs.

Netanya officials stated that if a midfielder isn't signed, they will explore the free agent market. The club has received approval from Russ Katin to sign another significant player, with the team expressing a strong desire to reinforce the squad. "Ross has great faith and trust in Roni Levy as a leading coach in Israeli football, and he will get whatever he wants. Ross has a strong desire to strengthen," a club representative said.

In other team news, William Cipyrian will remain with the club after refusing a severance package. Additionally, Netanya is attempting to reach a financial settlement with Itay Ben Shabbat, who was not released to Hapoel Petah Tikva. The club may have to pay his full salary unless a last-minute transfer is arranged. Meanwhile, Dolev Haziza sustained an injury after the loss to Hapoel Ramat Gan and underwent an MRI, with results expected later today.