--- title: "Kharkiv vs Red Star: How the Ukrainian club could buy out the winger from the Serbian giant" description: "Kharkiv could buy out winger Douglas Owusu from Red Star by settling their debt to Radnik. Kyiv's Dynamo refused the deal due to the Serbian club's pro-Russian stance. πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦βš½πŸ‡¬πŸ‡­" date: 2026-07-22T12:52:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/kharkiv-vykupit-ovusu-u-crveny-zvezdy-en tags: [douglas-ovusu, kharkiv, crvena-zvezda, radnik, ukrainian-premier-league] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Kharkiv vs Red Star: How the Ukrainian club could buy out the winger from the Serbian giant ![Footballer in Kharkiv's blue kit in action on the field, potential new signing from Red Star Belgrade](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/22/kharkov-vykupit-ovusu-u-crveny-zvezdy/kharkov-vykupit-ovusu-u-crveny-zvezdy-1.webp) An intriguing transfer story is unfolding on the Ukrainian football market. The Kharkiv club, facing the need to strengthen its squad, has brought 20-year-old Ghanaian winger Douglas Owusu back into focus. The player, currently playing for Belgrade's Red Star, could become part of the Ukrainian team if Kharkiv manages to take advantage of the Serbian giant's financial difficulties. ### Transfer history: from Radnik to Belgrade Kharkiv's interest in the young African footballer arose back in the winter transfer window. At that time, Owusu was playing for the Serbian club Radnik. However, a more powerful competitor intervened β€” Red Star, which snatched the player. Officially, the deal amount was 2.2 million euros, which was supposed to guarantee the winger's move to the elite club of Serbia. However, reality turned out to be different. The Belgrade club paid Radnik only about 200,000 euros, leaving a significant portion of the debt unpaid. It is precisely this financial hole that has become the reason for renewed interest from the Ukrainian club. ### Kharkiv's strategy: buying out the debt Currently, Kharkiv is working out a non-standard deal scenario. Instead of paying Red Star for the player, the Ukrainian club could cover the remaining part of the Serbian giant's debt to Radnik. This approach would allow Owusu's transfer to be formalized without additional costs for the player himself, but with the obligation to settle Red Star's financial obligations. The negotiation process has already been launched, and its outcome may determine the winger's future in the Ukrainian championship. If the deal goes through, it will be an example of how one club's financial difficulties can become an opportunity for another. ### Why did Dynamo refuse the deal? Previously, information about interest in Owusu also came from Kyiv's Dynamo. However, the Kyivians refused the agreement, citing Red Star's pro-Russian stance. This refers not only to the club's title sponsor β€” Russian Gazprom β€” but also to the regular cooperation of the Serbian giant with Russian teams, including friendly matches. This factor was decisive for Dynamo, but it did not prevent Kharkiv from continuing negotiations. The Ukrainian club may be ready to accept risks associated with the political context in order to strengthen the squad with a talented player. ### Owusu's effectiveness: the numbers speak for themselves In the 2025/26 season, Douglas Owusu demonstrated solid effectiveness. In 33 matches for Radnik and Red Star, he scored 9 goals and provided 1 assist. Such figures make him an attractive candidate for any team striving to strengthen its attack. If Kharkiv can formalize the transfer, it will be an important step in the club's development. Owusu could become a key player in the attack, especially considering his age and potential. ### Context: foreign player quota in the UPL It is worth noting that the new foreign player quota in the Ukrainian Premier League is under threat. This could affect the transfer strategy of many clubs, including Kharkiv. If the quota is relaxed or abolished, Ukrainian teams will be able to actively attract foreign players, which could change the balance of power in the championship. Thus, the transfer of Douglas Owusu is not just a deal between two clubs. It is part of a broader picture where financial, political, and regulatory factors intertwine, creating unique opportunities and risks for all market participants.