Zach Leday Rejects Partizan Belgrade Offer, Likely Heading to Hapoel Tel Aviv

Zach Leday, the 32-year-old American forward currently with Olimpia Milano, is expected to leave the Italian club amid transfer interest from Hapoel Tel Aviv. However, Hapoel is not the only team pursuing him; his former club Partizan Belgrade, where he played from 2021 to 2024, has also made a strong bid. Partizan offered Leday a two-year contract worth 4.5 million euros, but the player is reportedly demanding a higher salary of 5.2 million euros total, split as 2.5 million euros for the first season and 2.7 million euros for the second. Partizan is said to be unwilling to meet these terms, potentially clearing the way for Leday's move to Israel.

Leday stands 2.02 meters tall and had a solid performance last EuroLeague season with Milano, averaging 13.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game. In the Italian domestic league, he averaged 10.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assist. He is familiar with Israeli basketball, having started his European career with Hapoel Gilboa/Galil in the 2017-2018 season. Hapoel Tel Aviv is reportedly capable of meeting his financial demands, which could finalize the transfer soon.