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

Hapoel Be'er Sheva faces a crucial transfer deadline as it seeks to strengthen its squad following a heartbreaking elimination from the Champions League by Sabah. The Israeli champions will now compete in the Europa League and aim to bolster their roster before the Israeli Premier League season begins. The club, coached by Ran Kojuch, has secured over 8.6 million euros from qualifying for the continent's second-tier competition and is targeting reinforcements primarily in defense and midfield.

Negotiations are underway with 28-year-old Cameroonian center-back Omar Gonzalez, who has experience in French lower leagues and Saudi Arabia's Al Raed, where he played three seasons including one in the second division. Gonzalez has also earned nine caps for the Cameroon national team. In midfield, 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, developed at Palmeiras' youth academy and was part of Brazil's U17 South American championship team. He played 34 matches last season in Portugal, scoring five goals and assisting five.

Alan is reportedly considering offers from Turkey and Sao Paulo alongside Be'er Sheva, demanding a salary of approximately $500,000 per season, which would make him the club's highest-paid player, plus a signing bonus estimated between $1 million and $1.5 million. The club is also interested in acquiring an Israeli midfielder, with Basem Za'arura and Maor Levi from Maccabi Netanya as potential targets, though their transfers are 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, just eight days away, while the Israeli transfer window closes two weeks later on September 16. The club is working intensively to finalize its squad amid these tight timelines.