In a major move for Israeli football, Oscar Gloukh, the 21-year-old Red Bull Salzburg and Israel national team star, is on the verge of a blockbuster transfer to Dutch giants Ajax. According to multiple Dutch media outlets, the two clubs have reached a final agreement on a €15 million fee before bonuses - a sum that places Gloukh second on the all-time list of Israeli football transfers, narrowly behind Munas Dabbur’s €17 million move from Salzburg to Sevilla in 2019.
Should performance-based bonuses be met, Gloukh could eclipse Dabbur to become the most expensive Israeli player in history.
A Meteoric Rise
Gloukh burst onto the scene after rising through the ranks at Maccabi Tel Aviv. In January 2023, he transferred to Red Bull Salzburg for €7 million, becoming the most expensive export in Maccabi’s history at the time.
In his first half-season, Gloukh won the Austrian Bundesliga title, but Salzburg would later surrender the league crown in back-to-back seasons to Sturm Graz. Despite the team’s slip in form, Gloukh’s individual development was undeniable.
Stats That Speak Volumes
During his time in Austria, Gloukh played 100 matches, scoring 23 goals and delivering 28 assists - a remarkable return for an attacking midfielder still in his early 20s. His final goal for Salzburg came on the biggest stage of all: against Feyenoord in the FIFA Club World Cup.
For the Israeli national team, Gloukh has already racked up 21 caps and 3 goals, with performances that have made him a fan favorite and a symbol of the next generation.
