Heri Tavares linked with Maccabi Netanya return after Universitatea Craiova move

Cape Verdean-Portuguese winger Heri Tavares is being linked with a return to Maccabi Netanya from current club Universitatea Craiova, just over two months after leaving the Israeli side.

Tavares, 29, joined Craiova from Maccabi Netanya on 2 July in a €1m transfer and is under contract with the Romanian club until 30 June 2028. The latest rumour places him back in the Ligat ha’Al, where he spent the previous two seasons.

The left winger has made four SuperLiga appearances for Craiova this season, without scoring or providing an assist. He has also featured in Champions League qualifying, Europa League qualifying and the Romanian Cup.

Tavares has already won silverware since moving to Romania, helping Craiova claim the Romanian Super Cup in the 2026-27 campaign. His current market value is listed at €750,000.

A return to Maccabi Netanya would represent a swift reversal of the move that took him away from the club in the summer. Tavares previously joined Netanya from Portuguese side Estoril on a free transfer in July 2024, before making the move to Craiova two years later.

The reported interest comes while Tavares remains contracted to Craiova, with no indication that the Romanian club has agreed to his departure.