Hapoel Tel Aviv Advances Major Signing of Serbian Midfielder Douglas Avuso

Hapoel Tel Aviv is rapidly advancing a major transfer deal to acquire 20-year-old Ghanaian midfielder Douglas Avuso from Red Star Belgrade for a club-record fee of 2.5 million euros. The club plans to conduct comprehensive medical tests on Avuso, possibly as soon as today, due to a recent knee injury that caused him to fail medical exams at Czech club Viktoria Plzen. If he passes the medicals, Avuso will sign a three-year contract with an option for one or two additional seasons, earning approximately 300,000 to 350,000 euros per year.

Hapoel's CEO Guy Primor recently traveled to Belgrade to meet with Avuso and his agent. Should Hapoel advance past the Polish team in the upcoming playoff, they will face Italian club Atalanta. The club has the option to register Avuso in time for the two matches against the Polish side, with registration open until tomorrow.

This signing aligns with owner Edmond Safra's strategy of investing heavily in young prospects, following last summer's acquisitions of Daniel Dappa from Maccabi Netanya for 2 million euros and Louiso Luzio for 1.2 million euros, who was later sold to Red Star Belgrade for 4 million euros. As part of the current deal, Hapoel will reduce outstanding payments owed by Red Star for Luzio.

Avuso was sold to Red Star in January for 2.2 million euros and is currently valued at 4.5 million euros by Transfermarkt. Last season, he scored nine goals and made nine league starts in the Serbian SuperLiga. Red Star is known for impulsive transfers, exemplified by Felicio Milson's costly but unsuccessful move from Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Hapoel's CEO Guy Primor has negotiated three deals with Red Star, including transfers of Kings Kangwa to Hapoel Be'er Sheva and Luzio to Serbia. Avuso was previously close to joining Viktoria Plzen for 3.3 million euros, but the deal collapsed due to failed medical tests. Ukrainian club Kharkiv also showed interest. Maccabi Tel Aviv reportedly offered a loan with an option to buy, but Red Star preferred Hapoel's immediate purchase offer. Given Avuso's medical history, Hapoel intends to conduct thorough examinations to avoid signing an injured player.