Maccabi Tel-Aviv are in talks to sign Nir Bitton after his Celtic exit, according to Israeli outlet Walla.
Bitton is a free agent after ending his 9-year Hoops career with title success under Ange Postecoglou. Bitton departed Parkhead having won an incredible 15 winner’s medals during his time in Scotland.
And it could be the case that Maccabi Tel-Aviv is the next destination with Nir potentially heading home to Israel. Walla report that the club are locked in talks to try and bring him to the club. This comes with Tel-Aviv looking to move on some of their current players to help rebuild for next season.
Bitton has stated already this summer that the next club he joins should be one competing for trophies and titles. He has, however, recently opened the door to a potential move back home. He’s also stated that he’s a fan of Maccabi Tel-Aviv too [Sport 1].
However, it could also be the case that Bitton decides to branch out elsewhere before returning to Israel. At only 30 years of age, he still has the ability and the time to try one of Europe’s top divisions.
Bitton made over 270 appearances for the Hoops after arriving back in 2013 under Neil Lennon [Transfermarkt].
Nir Bitton could return home to the club he supports
Bitton, born not far from Tel-Aviv in Ashdod, could perhaps be tempted by a return home considering Maccabi will be involved in European football next year.
Indeed, they’ve qualified for the second qualifying round of the Europa Conference League. Not quite the Champions League group stage football that would’ve been on offer had Nir stayed at Celtic, but it’s European action nevertheless.
He would also get his wish of competing for titles and trophies with Tel-Aviv. They may have finished 3rd and 9 points behind Maccabi Haifa last season, but they’ll be expected to make a title push this year having won the league in 2 of the last 4 years.
As of yet, both he and Tom Rogic have yet to announce what clubs they’ll be joining next. But there will certainly be plenty of opportunities on offer for both given the careers they had at Celtic Park.
It’ll be intriguing to see whether Nir believes the time is now to head back to Israel. You can see why the offer would be tempting for him on multiple levels.
And at the moment, it looks as though a potential move to Maccabi Tel-Aviv is picking up pace.
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