Maccabi Tel Aviv Defender Roy Revivo Set to Join Spanish La Liga Club

Roy Revivo, a defender for Maccabi Tel Aviv and the Israeli national team, has decided not to continue with Maccabi and has agreed to terms with a Spanish La Liga club, likely Levante or Elche. Revivo, whose father Haim also played in La Liga, refused to travel with Maccabi to their European League qualifier match against CSKA Sofia in Batumi on Thursday, April 27, 2023, after informing teammates that he had finalized his contract in Spain but did not disclose the exact club.

Revivo’s family expressed frustration with Maccabi Tel Aviv, claiming they were promised he would be allowed to move to Spain immediately after the second qualifying round matches against Sheriff Tiraspol. However, due to unresolved financial disagreements between the clubs, Revivo firmly declined to participate in the upcoming match. The Spanish club offered Maccabi 3 million euros for the transfer, down from Maccabi’s initial 4 million euro demand. Revivo is set to receive 15 percent of the transfer fee, approximately 450,000 euros.

Maccabi insists on either a higher offer or that Revivo relinquish his 15 percent share and also demands 30 percent of any future transfer fee. Revivo, who was also sought by Copenhagen last summer but was retained by Maccabi, is determined not to remain at the club any longer. His teammates noted his recent frustration, as he expected to have already moved to Spain. Maccabi has been training Shahar Rosen as the left-back replacement.

Club sources criticized Revivo’s refusal to join the team for a crucial European match, while the club has not publicly addressed his decision. Another defender, Dutch player Tyrese Asante, who missed the previous match citing illness, is also reportedly close to transferring to Elche. Both players will miss the Batumi match, which will be played without fans due to UEFA sanctions against Maccabi for fan pyrotechnics.