Two Serie A clubs are circling one of Israeli football's brightest young forwards. ONE reports that Torino and Genoa are following Maccabi Tel Aviv striker Sayed Abu Farhi closely, with both sides expected to have scouts watching when Maccabi complete their Europa League qualifying tie away to Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday.
The interest comes on the back of a red-hot start to the campaign for the 20-year-old. Abu Farhi scored twice in Maccabi's 5-0 demolition of Sheriff in the first leg, heading in a cross from Ido Shahar in the fifth minute before converting from the penalty spot in the 74th to cap a one-sided night.
It was his second brace in as many outings. According to ONE, Abu Farhi also scored twice against Hapoel Be'er Sheva as Maccabi lifted the Israeli Champions Cup with a 3-1 win at the start of the season under new manager Kenny Miller.
That run of back-to-back doubles is what has put him on the Italian radar, per the report, with Torino and Genoa said to be monitoring him closely enough that they could send representatives to Georgia for Thursday's return leg, which Sheriff are hosting in Batumi rather than Tiraspol.
Neither club has made contact over a formal move, and no fee or contract details were mentioned in the report - this is scouting interest at an early stage, not a confirmed approach.
Abu Farhi, born in Baqa al-Gharbiyye in May 2006, made his senior debut for Maccabi in August 2023 as a substitute against Celje in Conference League qualifying, before loan spells at Kafr Qasim and Maccabi Bnei Reineh helped sharpen him for first-team football. He nailed down the starting striker's role last season and has also represented Israel's under-21 side under Guy Luzon.
Speaking to Walla Sport after the Champions Cup final, he made no secret of his hunger for more. "I'm always aspiring for more," he said. "Even if I score 30 goals, next season I want 31." He also credited Miller's preparation for the team's fast start and named the league title as the trophy he most wants to win with Maccabi.
For now, Abu Farhi remains focused on Europe with Maccabi, who carry a five-goal cushion into Thursday's second leg. Any decision on his future is likely to wait until the Israeli champions know how far this season's qualifying run takes them - but with two Serie A scouting departments now paying attention, his stock is rising fast.
