Israel legend Eyal Berkovic believes Oscar Gloukh will leave Maccabi Tel Aviv for around £3 million amid interest from Rangers, Dortmund, Ajax and Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur, speaking to Sport5.
As the former Manchester City playmaker points out, a couple of minutes here and there off the bench is not exactly ideal for a teenager aiming to unlock his vast potential before embarking upon a new adventure in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
But, against the backdrop of a bitter dispute between Gloukh’s father and Maccabi coach Vladimir Ivic, the 18-year-old was restricted to the briefest of cameo appearances during last week’s 3-0 UEFA Conference League qualifier victory against Zira FC.
And you can bet your bottom dollar that Gloukh’s suddenly reduced game-time is not going unnoticed. Ajax, Dortmund and Rangers just three of the clubs keeping tabs on a lavishly talented footballer who fired Israel to the final of the U19 European Championships recently (Scottish Sun).
According to The Mirror (10th July, page 74), Tottenham have made contact too. Spurs reportedly believe they are leading the chase for a player valued in the £10 million bracket.
How much will Maccabi Tel Aviv sell Oscar Gloukh for?
“A month ago, at the European Youth Championship, the star was Oscar Gloukh. On Thursday, he played for two minutes. Tell me, Maccabi, are you crazy?” asks Berkovic, suggesting that the attacking mifielder will be sold for a damn sight less than a reported £10 million asking price.
“We want Oscar Gloukh in Europe. Maccabi Tel Aviv refuses to sell him because of a price tag of 8 or 10 million euros. (But) I believe he will be sold for 3-4 million.
“I don’t have a problem with him playing half or half an hour. But what is two minutes for a kid who is the future of the club?”
“Of all the 18 players of Maccabi Tel Aviv, there is no room for Oscar Gloukh?
“It is the club’s job to intervene. (They have) the authority to tell Ivic that there is a talented kid here, that they want the club to be built around a player who grew up in academy. If not, then the manager should go.
“Maccabi Tel Aviv does not have such good players that there is no place for Gloukh. The whole country was on its feet because of him, and in Maccabi Tel Aviv he does not play.
“We need to wake up before it’s too late. He needs to play.”
Gloukh’s father suggested back in June that his son was ‘ready’ for a new adventure in a major league, despite his youth and lack of first-team experience.
“I just tell him to have fun and do what he knows,” Gloukh Sr says. “The sky is the limit.”
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