Maccabi Tel Aviv Considers Hungarian Defender Levante Katona and Brazilian Leo Santos for 2026/27 Season

Maccabi Tel Aviv is actively working on strengthening its squad for the 2026/27 season after confirming Kenny Miller as head coach and renewing Dor Peretz's contract. The club aims to reclaim the Israeli Premier League title lost to Hapoel Be'er Sheva this past season. Among the defensive options, 24-year-old Hungarian center-back Levante Katona is on Maccabi Tel Aviv's radar. Katona, who has spent his entire career in Hungary with clubs like PMFC, Kecskemét, and most recently 29 appearances for Nyíregyháza, is valued at around 400,000 euros according to Transfermarkt. This potential move would mark his first transfer outside Hungary.

Simultaneously, Brazilian defender Leo Santos, who was also offered to Maccabi Haifa, is another candidate. Santos, a former youth international for Brazil, played 38 matches for Corinthians and had stints with Fluminense and in Brazil's second division before moving to Portugal's Nacional in 2024. After limited playtime in his first season, he became a key player last season with 31 appearances, three goals, and two assists in the Portuguese league.

Maccabi Tel Aviv is also searching for a foreign striker and a winger to bolster the squad. The team recently played a friendly against Armenian side Alashkert, winning 1-0 with a late goal by Dor Peretz. The coaching staff praised the team's intense pressing and defensive solidity, noting improved offensive chances in the second half. Itamar Noy joined the training camp after missing the trip due to personal reasons, while Andrade is expected to arrive soon.

The club continues to monitor midfielder Dan Glazer's situation, awaiting developments with Kayrat to determine his transfer value. His future remains uncertain as the team evaluates all options in preparation for the upcoming season.