Maccabi Netanya Owner Spends $1 Million on Transfers

Maccabi Netanya owner, Russian businessman Leonid "Ross" Kassin, has demonstrated his commitment to strengthening the team by investing approximately one million shekels (around $270,000 USD) on the final day of the transfer window. This significant expenditure underscores his confidence in coach Roni Levi.

The club's CEO, Gil Lev, who is set to depart once a successor is found, finalized negotiations for the acquisition of winger Eyal Mog from Hapoel Be'er Sheva and the loan of Romanian midfielder Gabriel Simion. Be'er Sheva agreed to waive a loan fee for Mog just two hours before the window closed, completing his transfer. Mog's addition provides crucial offensive depth, especially with winger Dolv Haziza sidelined due to injury for the upcoming match against Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Despite the new acquisitions, Netanya faces financial challenges with players not in their plans. The club was unable to offload midfielder Itay Ben Shabat, as they refused to cover the salary offered by Hapoel Petah Tikva. Similarly, striker William Ciprian has not found a new team, meaning Netanya will continue to pay the salaries of both players who are not part of the professional strategy.

On a positive note for the team's immediate prospects, midfielder Maor Levi completed a full training session, surprising the medical staff and making him available for the next game. The financial details of the Simion deal reveal that Netanya will pay around 300,000 shekels for his loan, with an option to purchase him for up to 700,000 shekels. Combined with the salaries of Simion and Mog, which total approximately 700,000 shekels, Kassin's outlay on the last day of the transfer window reached the one million shekel mark.