Crvena Zvezda Reportedly Interested in Midfielder Mohamed Abu Fani Crvena zvezda’s summer rebuild has taken a sharp turn toward Budapest and Tel Aviv, as the Serbian champions move from missed targets to a fast‑tracked push for fresh Israeli talent.

Marquinhos fades, Abu Fani steps into focus

Once it became clear that the chances of landing Marquinhos from Spartak were “reduced to a minimum,” coach Dejan Stanković turned back to what he knows best: Ferencváros and midfielder Mohamed Abu Fani, 28. Red Star are reportedly negotiating directly with the player, whose contract with the Hungarian club expires on June 30, a detail that could tilt talks in Belgrade’s favor.

Abu Fani, a 1.64m Israeli international, built his résumé at Maccabi Haifa and Ferencváros, collecting trophies in both Israel and Hungary and earning 33 caps and four goals for Israel. His market value is put at €3 million, and he played 36 matches under Stanković in Budapest, giving the coach a clear picture of what he’s buying.

From stopgap to “dream team” piece

Pro‑government sports outlets frame the move as part of an ambitious Champions League project. One describes Crvena zvezda as “building a dream team for the Champions League,” with Abu Fani and winger Stav Turijel both on the radar this summer.

Abu Fani is seen as a direct replacement for Timi Max Elšnik, whose departure has been “rumored for a long time,” while previous midfield reinforcements Tomas Handel and Mahmoud Badžo have failed to lock down key roles. Israeli media, cited in Serbian reports, say Red Star have already opened talks with Ferencváros, with a fee between €1–1.5 million and a salary offer of around €750,000 a year – significantly more than he earns in Hungary.

If the deal is closed quickly, Abu Fani could be unveiled right after the season, slotting into a dressing room where compatriot goalkeeper Omri Glazer is expected to leave – but where Israeli influence, if club plans pan out, is clearly here to stay.