Erez Edelstein Reveals Maccabi Tel Aviv Discussed Daniel Theis Signing in 2016

Erez Edelstein, former coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv, disclosed that the club considered signing German center Daniel Theis back in 2016, a decade before officially acquiring him this year. Theis was recently signed by Maccabi after his transfer to Villeurbanne was canceled due to the French club's financial difficulties.

Edelstein explained on the Sport 5 podcast Spik'n'Roll that Theis's agent had offered the player for a $500,000 buyout from Bamberg. However, the club's management was hesitant because they needed to resolve existing contracts with players Rochester and Farmer first. They suggested spreading the buyout cost over three years, but Edelstein denied claims that he rejected the signing at the last minute.

He also mentioned that another player, Yabusele, was considered at the time. Yabusele, known from the French league, had moved to China for a lucrative contract, and Edelstein noted that Maccabi preferred established stars over developing prospects like him. This insight sheds light on the club's transfer decisions a decade ago and the factors delaying Theis's arrival until now.