Maccabi Netanya Rejects Hapoel Be'er Sheva's Advances for Key Players

Maccabi Netanya is actively seeking to strengthen its squad with at least three new players before the transfer window closes on September 16th. Coach Roni Levy and his staff are targeting two foreign players, a center-back and a winger, but have yet to secure any signings. Negotiations are ongoing with Brazilian defender Sydney Lima from Portugal's Santa Clara, though no progress has been made recently.

Simultaneously, Netanya is aware of Hapoel Be'er Sheva's interest in two of their players, Bassam Zra'ira and Maor Levy. However, Netanya officials have firmly stated that there are no current negotiations or deals in place for either player. A club source emphatically declared that Zra'ira will only play in Israel for Maccabi Netanya and there is no intention to sell him to another Israeli team. Furthermore, Netanya is reportedly working to extend Zra'ira's current contract, aiming for a financial upgrade and an extension that includes a release clause for overseas transfers.

Zra'ira is currently sidelined with a minor groin tear and is expected to miss the upcoming match against Hapoel Haifa. Regarding Maor Levy, Netanya's objective is to retain him to maintain a strong squad capable of competing at the top of the league table.

Maccabi Netanya has also vehemently denied any interest in Hapoel Be'er Sheva's Hemed Kanaan, whose name had surfaced as part of a potential trade involving Maor Levy. "Maccabi Netanya is a big club. We want to strengthen ourselves with the existing squad," a Netanya representative stated. "It's very flattering that other teams want our players, but Netanya wants to return to the main stage of football, and that is done with a strong squad, with the good players currently in it, along with reinforcements we are trying to bring in."