Hapoel Be'er Sheva Pursues Major Signings Ahead of Transfer Deadline After Champions League Exit

Hapoel Be'er Sheva, despite their recent heartbreaking elimination from the Champions League following a loss to Sabah, is actively pursuing significant player acquisitions ahead of the Israeli Premier League season and the Europa League campaign. The club, coached by Ran Kuzuh, will compete in the Europa League and has secured over 8.6 million euros from qualifying for the continent's second-tier competition. They are focusing on strengthening two key positions: a central defender and a midfielder to replace Kings Kangwa.

Negotiations are underway with 28-year-old Cameroonian defender Omar Gonzalez, who developed in the Metz academy in France and has experience in French lower leagues and Saudi Arabia's Al Raed. Gonzalez has nine caps for Cameroon and recently completed a season in the Saudi second division. For midfield reinforcement, Hapoel Be'er Sheva has offered a contract to 26-year-old Brazilian attacking midfielder Alan, currently a free agent after leaving Portugal's Moreirense. Alan, valued at around 5 million euros, emerged from Palmeiras' youth system and was part of Brazil's U17 South American championship-winning team. He played 34 games last season in Portugal, scoring five goals and assisting five.

Alan is considering offers from Be'er Sheva, a Turkish league club, and São Paulo, but demands a salary of approximately $500,000 per season, which would make him the club's highest-paid player. Additionally, he seeks a signing bonus estimated between $1 million and $1.5 million. The club is also interested in Israeli midfielders Basem Zaaroura and Maor Levi from Maccabi Netanya, though acquiring them is expected to be challenging. Meanwhile, the team awaits the return of Dan Biton, and striker Ilon Almog is expected to depart.

The registration deadline for European competitions is September 2, with the Israeli transfer window closing two weeks later on September 16, leaving limited time for finalizing these transfers.