Hapoel Petah Tikva Eyes Goalkeeper Niv Eliasi If Omer Katz Joins Maccabi Haifa

A potential transfer deal involving Israeli football clubs is taking shape ahead of the new season. Maccabi Haifa has reportedly made an official offer to Hapoel Petah Tikva for goalkeeper Omer Katz, who has already agreed to terms with Haifa. In response, Hapoel Petah Tikva is considering signing Niv Eliasi, the goalkeeper from Hapoel Be'er Sheva, as a replacement for Katz.

Niv Eliasi, 24, was once regarded as a promising talent in Israeli football and served as the primary goalkeeper for Hapoel Be'er Sheva over the past two and a half seasons. However, his position was significantly affected after the club signed Marco Wolf and retained Ofir Marciano, leading to Eliasi seeking a new team for the upcoming season. Since June 2025, Eliasi has been included in the senior Israel national team squad but has yet to make an official appearance.

If the deal proceeds, Eliasi is expected to become the first-choice goalkeeper at Hapoel Petah Tikva, offering him a fresh opportunity to reestablish himself as a leading player in the Israeli Premier League. The developments highlight a complex transfer scenario involving multiple clubs and players ahead of the 2026 season.