Kings Kangwa Nears Transfer to AEK Athens Amid Final Hurdles

Kings Kangwa, the midfielder for Hapoel Be'er Sheva, has reportedly reached a preliminary agreement to join AEK Athens, according to the Greek sports site Sport24. However, the transfer faces a final obstacle as AEK demands that Be'er Sheva immediately release Kangwa to allow him to participate in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. The Greek club's sporting director, Javier Ribalta, has taken a firm stance, emphasizing the urgency to conclude the deal swiftly and warning that AEK is prepared to move on to alternative targets if Be'er Sheva does not comply.

AEK Athens is currently competing in the Champions League playoff round and cannot field Kangwa if he has already played in the qualifiers for another team this season, per UEFA regulations. This stipulation has led AEK to set a strict ultimatum for Be'er Sheva to finalize the transfer promptly. Ribalta has also prepared a list of alternative midfield reinforcements should the negotiations fail.

The decision now rests with Alona Barkat, owner of Hapoel Be'er Sheva, who must decide whether to release one of the team's key players. Kangwa is eager to make the move to the Greek league, seen as a significant step up in his career. The coming hours are expected to be decisive as AEK awaits a final response from Be'er Sheva before either completing the transfer or withdrawing from the deal.