Guangzhou R&F star Eran Zahavi to leave Chinese league immediately: Israeli media

JERUSALEM -- Guangzhou R&F star Eran Zahavi is expected to leave the Chinese club immediately, Israeli media said on Wednesday.

According to Israeli channel Sport 1, the striker will not return to China after Israel's upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Scotland and Slovakia, on September 4 and 7, respectively, about four months before his contract with the Chinese club ends.

The channel added that Turkish side Fenerbahce is interested in signing Zahavi for the opening of the Turkish league on September 11.

Israeli news website Ynet also reported that aside from Fenerbahce, MLS clubs Los Angeles Galaxy and Inter Miami are also showing interest in signing the striker.

Israeli sports website One reported that Israeli champion Maccabi Tel Aviv, in which Zahavi played for three and a half seasons before leaving for China in 2016, is also interested in bringing back the striker.

Israel Football Association spokesman Shlomi Barzel told the website that Zahavi has most likely played his last game for R&F in China.

"The fact that he was released by his Chinese club for the national team matches, while his compatriot teammate Dia Saba was not released, despite our efforts, shows that this is the end," Barzel said.

Zahavi had 106 caps for Guangzhou R&F, in which he scored 91 goals.

He finished as Chinese Super League (CSL) top scorer in 2019, with 29 goals.