Maccabi Tel Aviv have opened negotiations with Go Ahead Eagles over left winger Thibo Baeten, and the Israeli champions have an unusual ally in the talks: the player himself, who according to reports is keen on the move.
ONE reports that the 24-year-old Belgian, who plays mainly off the left but can also operate on the right, is interested in making the switch to Israel and is open to joining Maccabi Tel Aviv. Dutch outlet Voetbalprimeur carried the same line, reporting that Baeten "graag de overstap wil maken naar Israël" — that he is eager to make the move.
That willingness matters, because Go Ahead Eagles are not under any pressure to sell. Baeten only recently extended and is contracted to the Eredivisie club through the summer of 2029, giving the Dutch side a strong hand at the negotiating table.
Maccabi's opening move, according to both ONE and Voetbalprimeur, is a loan deal with a purchase option that could become mandatory if certain conditions are met during the loan spell — a structure increasingly common in cross-border deals designed to ease the buying club's upfront outlay.
Go Ahead Eagles have already rejected that first proposal, Voetbalprimeur reported, though the two clubs remain in contact as they try to find terms both sides can accept. Baeten's market value is estimated at around €500,000.
Baeten arrived in Deventer from Beerschot in the summer of 2023 and had a loan spell at Roda JC before returning to Go Ahead Eagles, where he has featured regularly on the flank without yet becoming a prolific scorer.
For Maccabi Tel Aviv, reigning champions of Israel after last season's 26th league title, added competition and depth on the wing would strengthen a squad preparing for another campaign that includes European football.
Nothing is finalised, and Go Ahead's rejection of the opening bid suggests there is still a gap to bridge — but with the player already signalling where he wants to go, Maccabi have reason for optimism that a deal can eventually be structured.
