ABADA SHOCK
Unsettled Celtic star Liel Abada could force deal to join ex-Hoops pal amid claims star ‘verbally attacked in street’
The report claims exactly what the star could be prepared to do to force the deal through
LIEL ABADA could join forces with a former Celtic team-mate, according to a report coming out of Israel.
We reported ten days ago that a number of MLS clubs were tracking the unsettled star, who joined the Hoops from Maccabi Petah Tivka in 2021 for a fee of around £3.5million.
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And now Israeli outlet Sport 5 names two of the clubs as Austin United and Atlanta United - with sources close to the player claiming that both sides are already talking to the star's agent.
The MLS transfer window is open until April 2023 - but the season is getting under way right now.
It won't be a simple transfer to conclude - with the Scottish champions keen to cash in on a player who has hit double figures in both of his first two seasons.
They will want to make a sizeable profit on the former PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year.
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He signed a new four-year deal last September - which would see him remain under contract until 2027.
But the situation is complicated massively by the fact the star hasn't been considered for first team action since a substitute appearance against Hibs ten days ago.
And according to Sport 5, that's because the player has "told the team that he no longer wants to be included in the squad after being verbally attacked while walking down the street".
Abada was roared back into action by Celtic fans when he returned against Rangers - and has had support from Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers and the Parkhead hierarchy.
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But his situation was made difficult when a section of Hoops fans displayed a banner saying 'Victory to the Resistance' in the hours after Hamas terror attacks.
The star has missed great chunks of the season with injury too - and Atlanta United would seem to be a likely destination, given that the Hoops successfully concluded negotiations with them over the sale of Giorgos Giakoumakis.
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The Greek striker has been a huge success Stateside, with former Maccabi Haifa keeper Josh Cohen another Israeli on the Atlanta payroll.
The report also claims that Abada is prepared to "give up a percentage of future sales" he is entitled to to force the move through.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page