Hapoel Haifa eyes young Malian midfielder from the UAE
Hapoel Haifa is considering adding a foreign midfielder as it prepares for the 2026/27 season, with the club focused on strengthening the defensive midfield position. According to a report published Wednesday, the target is 21-year-old Cheick Oumar Keita, who recently played in the United Arab Emirates.
Keita is from Mali and came through a local youth academy before moving in summer 2024 to Hatta Club, a team in the UAE's second division. At Hatta, he made 16 appearances in all competitions, totaling 1,011 minutes, and recorded one league assist.
The move would fit Hapoel Haifa's transfer strategy in the current window, which has centered on building a younger core. That approach has already led to the signings of Itai Zafrani, Tal Na'im and Sali Fahima. No deal has been announced yet, but the club is actively monitoring the player.
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