Hearts of Oak pushed into the dark over Raddy Ovouka transfer after FIFA reportedly intervening to see release clause activated
Ghana Premier League defending champions Hearts of Oak have been pushed into the dark realm over Raddy Ovouka’s transfer with FIFA reportedly stand on their authority to see the player leaves under his release clause.
According to a report in GhanaWeb, two unnamed French clubs have shown interest in Raddy Ovouka since beginning of this season. The French’s interest coupled with other clubs in Europe and Africa have officially written to Hearts of Oak for the 22-year old as revealed by sources close to the player.
However, the Ghanaian side blocked negotiations for the move amid brightening their African campaign- which ended in bizarre after being crushed out in the Caf Champions League first round by Moroccan outfit Wydad Casablanca and their drop down to the Confederation play-off saw JS Saoura qualified into group stage over Hearts on 4-2 aggregate.
Before starting their African journey, interested clubs, precisely French clubs, had called Hearts of Oak to the negotiation table but there has been reluctance from the 2000 Champions League winners.
Meanwhile, Ovouka has two more years on his Hearts contract after joining in 2018. The Congolese International remains with the Phobians until June 2023 but has a release clause that can see him leave at any time within his contract period provided the clause is activated.
After turning their heads down for negotiations, it appears Hearts don’t their destiny in their own hands after interested clubs calling on FIFA intervention. FIFA’s intervene tempts Ovouka to leave Hearts under his release clause option rather than Hearts placing an asking price in usual sale of player.
The World football governing body has reportedly spoken with Hearts of Oak to let Raddy Ovouka leave if clubs are willing to activate his release clause.
A Sunday’s report in GhanaWeb by Ghana Sports Online claims that Ovouka’s release clause of $385,000 has been activated by one of the French clubs with FIFA readying to permit necessary provisions to grant the left-back green light to leave the Ghanaian side.
This means once a club pays the above amount to Hearts of Oak, the champions have no option than to let the Congolese leave without preventions or place any asking price.
With the French club already considering paying that amount according to the report in GhanaWeb, Ovouka could leave the capital in January to seek greener pastures.
The Congo ace has been sensational last term helping Hearts of Oak in their double triumph. They beat rivals Asante Kotoko to the Ghana Premier League title before edging out Ash Gold in the FA Cup finals.
In March last year, Ovouka was linked with a move to African giants TP Mazembe and Al Ahly after Joseph Ochaya and Ahmed Fathi departed the Dr. Congo and Cairo sides respectively.
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During that period, Ovouka had also been scouted by Ghana Premier League rivals Asante Kotoko but a deal was going to be difficult despite reported contacts between Ovouka’s camp and Kotoko agents.
Mazembe were ready to launch a $100,000 bid whiles Al Ahly planned amount slightly higher in exchange for the Hearts left-back as claimed by Ducor Sports.
As quoted by Ducor Sports, Okouka would have earned an estimated $7,000 monthly salary for the next three years at Mazembe and could be offered more than that $8,500 within the same period at Ahly.
