Azerbaijan National Team Striker Rejects Maccabi Haifa Offer Seeking European Competition

Mahir Emreli, a 29-year-old striker for the Azerbaijan national team, has reportedly declined an offer from Israeli Premier League club Maccabi Haifa. Azerbaijani media outlet Idman reported on July 13, 2026, that Emreli also turned down a previous offer from Cypriot club APOEL Nicosia. The player is said to be interested in joining a club with ambitions to compete in European tournaments.

Emreli, who stands 1.87 meters tall, began his career in Baku before moving to Qarabağ, Legia Warsaw, and Dinamo Zagreb. During his time at Dinamo Zagreb, he was loaned to Konyaspor. In the 2024/2025 season, he scored 11 goals in 25 appearances for Nürnberg in Germany's second division. Last season, he played for Kaiserslautern, also in Germany's 2. Bundesliga, scoring two goals in 13 appearances across all competitions.

Maccabi Haifa is actively seeking to strengthen its attacking lineup, but Emreli's preference for a club competing in European competitions has led him to reject their offer. The club will likely continue its search for a forward to bolster its squad for the upcoming season.