Hapoel Tel Aviv had identified Alpha Diallo and Isaac Bonga as targets for next season, but Diallo has already reached an agreement with Dubai, and Bonga is attracting serious competition from Europe’s biggest clubs. Reports in Greece say Olympiacos, Real Madrid and now Panathinaikos are all in the race for the Partizan Belgrade and Germany forward. One report described Bonga as one of Panathinaikos’ main transfer targets and said the club is ready to do whatever it takes to sign him, including making him a substantial offer.
Bonga is said to have a release clause of 700,000 euros. He is credited this season with averages of 9.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, and is expected to explore NBA options first before considering offers from Europe. The article says many clubs are chasing him.
At Real Madrid, meanwhile, the club is preparing a major change in its basketball leadership. Sergio Rodriguez resigned as sporting director only hours before reports emerged that Rudy Fernandez is expected to take over the job in the coming days.
Rodriguez, appointed only last summer, stepped down after Juan Carlos Sanchez returned to power in the club’s basketball department. Spanish reports say the relationship between Rodriguez and Sanchez had been strained since Sanchez’s days as a player, and Rodriguez did not want to keep working under him. Fernandez, a Real Madrid icon who played for the club from 2012 to 2024, had been serving in a representative, ceremonial role and has not been involved in sporting decisions until now. His first major challenge will be opening the market late, with Real still without a signing for next season and rivals already strengthening. The club also expects several departures, including Trey Lyles, Chuma Okeke and possibly Mario Hezonja.
