Hapoel Petah Tikva contacts Maccabi Tel Aviv about Ouri Azo

Hapoel Petah Tikva has begun shaping its 2026/27 squad after finishing in the top playoff group last season, and one of its main moves is a query to Maccabi Tel Aviv about young talent Ouri Azo. If Azo joins, he is expected to fill the role held by Ari Cohen.

The club is also trying to keep forward Roy David, last season’s breakthrough player, while recognizing that there is interest in him from the United States. David will start preseason training with Petah Tikva, but his situation could change once the MLS transfer window opens. His agent, Idan Ben Abu, has already received approaches from several clubs, and Petah Tikva values him at 1 million euros or more.

In addition to keeping core players, Petah Tikva has already signed Or Israelov, Yazan Nassar and Avishai Cohen for next season, and is close to adding Roy Shashon, as first reported by Sport Channel. The club is also looking for foreign center backs.

Coach Peretz wants to secure defenders quickly, with the coach giving the green light to open talks with Guy Badash, who is expected to replace Jonathan Cohen, who will not continue next season. Harel Shalom, also from Hapoel Jerusalem, is a candidate to serve as the backup left back, and the club’s wider target list includes a foreign striker.