Hapoel Be'er Sheva Secures Younes Melida Transfer Despite Maccabi Tel Aviv Policy

A dramatic behind-the-scenes transfer saw Younes Melida move to Hapoel Be'er Sheva from Maccabi Tel Aviv, contradicting Maccabi's recent policy of not transferring players directly to title rivals. While Maccabi publicly declared it would avoid strengthening competitors, Be'er Sheva secretly arranged for Melida to undergo medical tests ahead of finalizing the deal. This move came amid pressure on Maccabi's management from fans frustrated by a lack of significant reinforcements and a wave of player departures.

Melida, who had limited playing time over three years at Maccabi after being purchased from Mechelen for 350,000 euros, arrived in Be'er Sheva early in the morning and completed his medical exams. The southern club feared that Mitch Goldhar, Maccabi's owner, might block the transfer, hoping to conclude the deal before the team's UEFA Champions League playoff match against Sabah in Bucharest. The transfer was approved at 14:00 local time for 100,000 euros, with Melida expected to earn less than at Maccabi.

Coach Ran Kozuch, who previously coached Melida at Maccabi Netanya, insisted on his signing, continuing his preference for players he has worked with before, as seen with other signings from Maccabi Petah Tikva. Be'er Sheva views this transfer as part of a successful tradition of acquiring players from Maccabi Tel Aviv and improving their performance.

Following Melida's signing, Hapoel Be'er Sheva does not plan to recruit additional Israeli players, including those playing abroad. Mohamed Abu-Fani, earning 750,000 euros at Red Star Belgrade and rumored to leave after coach Diyan Stankovic's dismissal, is not a candidate for Be'er Sheva. The club's future reinforcements depend on their success in the Champions League playoffs, aiming to sign two quality foreign players, a defender and a midfielder, before the transfer window closes in three weeks, though no suitable candidates have been identified yet.