Talks ongoing as Bitton closes in on new club

Nir Bitton is reported to be in talks to join Maccabi Tel Aviv. 

Nine years after leaving Ashdod for Celtic the Israeli internationalist looks like returning home rather than picking up a contract elsewhere. 

Bitton’s playing time has been restricted at Celtic in recent seasons but at some stage all of his managers have turned to him in times of need. 

Discussing the Maccabi transfer options, Sports Walla claims: 

The Yellows currently have seven foreigners signed for the next game season: Enrique Sborrit, Georgia Juvanovic, Brandley Kubas, Andre Geralds, Stipa Fritza, Parfa Giaagon and Eduardo Guerrero.

All seven are signed for next season, so Maccabi Tel Aviv will have to deduct one for sure, which will surely be dragged. But here it will not end. The Yellows want a new brake and one such will have to come at the expense of another foreigner who is currently signed. This means that at least Maccabi Tel Aviv will have to get rid of two foreign players who are currently signed by it and possibly even more so if it wants to bring in more quality foreigners or in other positions.

As for Nir Bitton, the contacts for his addition are ongoing and he is expected to play next season as a midfielder in an array of two or three midfielders. Bitton left Celtic after a fantastic nine years. 

For a variety of personal reasons returning to the Israeli league seems like the best option for Bitton, a move that he was always likely to make at some stage in his career. 

There may be European, North American or Australian options open to him but as a current internationalist he can reduce his travel times and see more of his family by playing for an Israeli club. 

Bitton and Tom Rogic’s departures accelerate the changeover of the Celtic squad with further exits expected as Ange Postecoglou further puts his stamp on the squad that he inherited 12 months ago.