The reports linking Oscar Gloukh with a switch to Red Bull Salzburg are not something to be surprised about.
The new rising star of Israeli football has been earmarked as the one player who could hit a peak that an Israeli footballer has never reached before, and is being targeted by clubs across Europe.
Oscar Gloukh to RB Salzburg, done deal and here we go! Full agreement in place on €7m fee, personal terms agreed too. Israeli talent will join Salzburg from Maccabi Tel Aviv ⭐️ #transfers
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 24, 2023
Barcelona tried to sign Gloukh as Benfica, Udinese and Borussia Dortmund but no way. pic.twitter.com/vILccQk8nR
The 18-year-old started his career in Maccabi Tel Aviv’s youth setup, and from his first moments was considered a promising talent.
At the age of 14, his father managed to set him up with an offer from Maccabi Haifa, but both Gloukh and his agent decided to stay in Tel Aviv.
He was a prolific scorer in the youth teams, scoring double digits every season and ultimately, when he was 17 years old, he got his first chance to play for the senior team.
In the summer of 2021 he made his debut in the Toto Cup, the Israeli League Cup. It was his first season as part of Maccabi’s U19 team, but no one could imagine how good he would be that season.
He made 25 appearances in the U19 league, scoring 13 goals.
But all changed when Maccabi appointed a new manager, Mladen Krstajić - Oscar Gloukh played his first league match in April 2022, when he made the starting lineup against the reigning champions Maccabi Haifa.
Twenty-eight minutes in, he scored his first league goal at a senior level.
And since that match, Gloukh has had a great record in the Israeli league, with seven goals and seven assists in 24 appearances.
זה לא פשוט לעלות למשחק קריטי בבכורה שלך בליגה מול 25,000 אוהדים, זה עוד יותר לא פשוט לכבוש שער במשחק כזה, זה כנראה גם לא פשוט לחטוף גול שוויון דרמטי בדקה ה-93.
— מנהלת הליגות לכדורגל (@IPFL_FOOTBALL) April 12, 2022
ליווינו את אוסקר גלוך עם #שמירה_אישית במשחק הבכורה שלו בליגה במדים הצהובים 🕵🏻 pic.twitter.com/W2la5rjh5y
He maintained his place in the first team squad, but that was just the beginning of his breakthrough.
Last summer, Gloukh joined up with the Israel U19s for their European Championship campaign.
Israel made a sensational run in that tournament, and Gloukh was a big part in that - scoring three goals - as Israel reached the final, losing 3-1 to England after extra time.
In the final he scored his side’s only goal, a goal that would later be chosen as the best in the tournament. And Gloukh himself was selected for the team of the tournament.
Although he is still eligible for the U19s, Gloukh has since made his debuts for the U21s and the senior side.
He played in both the U21 team’s play-off matches against the Republic of Ireland, giving the national setup tough decisions for next summer.
Gloukh could also receive call-ups for the U20 World Cup, the U21 European Championship, and the qualifiers for Euro 2024.
Oscar Gloukh's goal on the Euro U-19 final against England.
— R.D. Football Scout (@RdScouting) July 8, 2022
The first-ever goal of Israel on a European final in football, and what a goal it was.
One of the most beautiful goals I’ve ever seen from any Israeli National Team.pic.twitter.com/8OPkMOdRuV
And he’s also ready to take that next step up at a club level.
Gloukh’s possible move to Red Bull Salzburg is not something special for Israeli players.
In the last few years, Israeli players have put on dominant performances in the Austrian Bundesliga - Shon Weissman won the league’s top scorer title in 2020, and Tai Baribo has performed so well that other clubs across the continent are looking at him.
Red Bull Salzburg have already had their own prolific Israeli scorer.
Munas Dabbur won the league’s top scorer title twice, until he was bought by Sevilla in 2019 for €15m (£13.2m), the highest-ever transfer fee for an Israeli player.
And Salzburg could be the perfect destination for Oscar Gloukh.
The Austrian side has become a well-known club for developing youngsters - when Dabbur left the club, the one who took his spot was one Erling Haaland.
Other big names that have began their journey with the team are Patson Daka, Naby Keïta, Takumi Minamino and Sadio Mane.
Whether this deal is made or not, Oscar Gloukh will be one of the Israeli players that you should follow in the future.
Edited by Alex Smith
Thumbnail photo by Shaul Greenfeld
