Maccabi Tel Aviv Nears $6 Million Deal to Transfer Said Abu-Farha to Colorado Rapids

Representatives of Said Abu-Farha are confident that his transfer to the MLS club Colorado Rapids will be finalized within the next 48 hours, with the American team set to pay $6 million for the striker. Maccabi Tel Aviv is also expected to receive performance-based bonuses of up to $1 million. According to Abu-Farha's contract, he is entitled to 17.5% of the transfer fee, which amounts to about $1 million. It remains unclear whether Maccabi will seek to reduce or remove this clause, as they did in the case of Roy Revivo.

Abu-Farha is expected to earn a net salary of $400,000 over four years, the maximum allowed for players under 22 in the MLS, with potential for higher earnings later in the contract. Colorado Rapids reportedly set a deadline for Maccabi to complete the deal by the previous evening, threatening to withdraw otherwise, increasing pressure for a swift transfer.

Meanwhile, tensions are rising within Maccabi Tel Aviv, described by one player as a "fire sale" atmosphere at the club's training base, Kiryat Shalom. The club has yet to bring in new players under sporting director Steven Vanharan, aside from Astr Sokler and Dan Glazer, and is beginning to lose key players. Roy Revivo is determined to leave immediately and may refuse to travel for the upcoming Europa League match against CSKA Sofia, despite training normally. His family continues to demand his immediate release to Spanish club Elche, with Maccabi pushing for a better offer and for Revivo's family to waive a 15% signing bonus. Revivo's camp insists on the transfer, stating Maccabi will have no choice but to release him.

In addition to Abu-Farha and Revivo, Maccabi is facing increased interest in players Tyrese Asante and Helio Varela. The club has no plans to sign new reinforcements until at least two of the nine current squad members are transferred out.