It’s no secret that soon Maccabi Haifa captain Neta Lavi will leave in favor of the Japanese Gamba Osaka, but the club wants him to stay at least until the league game, on Sunday against Sectia Nes Ziona. The reason: the absence of midfielder Mohamed Abu Fani due to the accumulation of yellow cards, and also the injury that Abu Fani is suffering from in his ribs.
For the same reason, Lavi may even start the lineup in the cup match tomorrow (Wednesday, 20:30) against Hapoel Haifa. Coach Barak Becher even talked to him about it. The club made it clear to him that as long as he has not officially signed, as long as the clubs have not reached an agreement on transfer fees, he is at the disposal of the professional staff.
It should be noted that although he is close to leaving, Lavi gathered the players on the grass before the game against Hapoel BS, and spurred them on – even though he did not start in the lineup. The first in the seniors was against Hapoel Haifa.
In the meantime, Gamba Osaka and the management of Maccabi Haifa continue negotiations on the transfer fee. Carmel is still looking at candidates to replace Lavi, and due to his imminent departure, Basem Zarora, who was on loan from Po’el Afula, has been returned.