Maccabi Haifa Considers Keeping Young Midfielder Amit Arazi After Impressive Preseason

In the summer of 2021, Mahmoud Jaber returned from a loan at Hapoel Nof HaGalil to Maccabi Haifa and was initially expected to be loaned out again after the training camp. However, coach Barak Bachar was impressed by Jaber and decided to keep him, leading to Jaber becoming a key player and eventually transferring to French club Saint-Étienne.

Now, a similar situation is unfolding with 21-year-old midfielder Amit Arazi. Originally planned to be loaned to Ironi Kiryat Shmona, Arazi has caught the attention of Maccabi Haifa's coaching staff with his recent performances. He even started in a recent friendly match against Scottish club Dundee, which Maccabi Haifa won 2-1.

Arazi played four matches in the Israeli Premier League for Maccabi Haifa during the 2024/25 season. Last season, he was loaned to Hapoel Kfar Saba in the second division, where he made 32 appearances and scored three goals. Club sources confirmed that the coaching staff is currently inclined to keep Arazi as a legitimate rotation player for the upcoming season, with a final decision expected in the coming weeks. "He impresses the staff a lot," said a club official. "Right now, the decision is for him to stay, but the final call will be made soon. The staff believes he can definitely contribute this season."