Maccabi Netanya are negotiating to bring in Brazilian centre-back Sidney Lima from Portuguese top-flight side Santa Clara, according to a report by ONE, as the Israeli club looks to reinforce its back line before the transfer window shuts.
The proposed structure, per the report, is a loan with an option to buy rather than an outright transfer — a common route for Israeli clubs bringing in players who still have time left on contracts elsewhere. ONE describes talks between the two parties as live and potentially close to a resolution, though nothing has been signed.
Lima, 29, is contracted to Santa Clara until the summer of 2027, with the Portuguese club holding an option to extend that by a further two years — giving Santa Clara real leverage in shaping any exit, whether by loan or permanent sale.
Born in Americana, Brazil, on 17 January 1997, Lima began his career at home before moving to Portugal in 2018. He spent three seasons at Felgueiras 1932, then joined Feirense in 2021, before signing for Santa Clara on a free transfer in the summer of 2023 on a two-plus-one-year deal.
He has since become an established figure in Santa Clara's defence, helping the club to the 2023-24 Liga Portugal 2 title before playing regularly as they consolidated in the top flight. Transfermarkt currently puts his market value at roughly €3.5 million.
For Maccabi Netanya, adding an experienced centre-back with several seasons of regular first-division football in Portugal would be a notable statement of intent as the club shapes its squad for the season ahead, though the club has yet to confirm the talks itself.
ONE's report stops short of confirming a deal is done, and the loan-with-option framework means the final terms — including any fee, wages and buy-out figure — remain to be settled. Both sides are expected to continue discussions in the coming days.
