The National's Sport cover for the Tuesday, June 30 issue, featuring Asamoah Gyan, Al Ain's goalscoring star suddenly the subject of Chinese interest.
John McAuley reports on the development, with Shanghai giants Shanghai SIPG apparently looking to pry Ghanaian striker Gyan from the UAE champions.
“The Al Ain striker, who is on an off-season break, has another three years on his contract, having signed an extension only last summer.
“However, ESPN FC reported yesterday that Shanghai have approached Al Ain about a potential transfer, with the website claiming manager Sven-Goran Eriksson wants to make the Ghanaian the Chinese side’s marquee signing.”
McAuley goes on to note the prolific run Gyan has had in the Arabian Gulf League, and why he would be of obvious interest to one of Al Ain's Asian competitors.
“Gyan, 29, has enhanced his reputation since moving to Al Ain from the Premier League’s Sunderland in 2011. Initially on loan, he concluded his first season as top scorer in the UAE top flight, with 22 goals. Gyan then secured the Golden Boot the following two seasons as well, helping his present tally climb to 95 goals in 83 league appearances.
“Shanghai manager Sven-Goran Eriksson will know Gyan well as he spent almost five months as technical director at Dubai’s Al Nasr in 2013. He left to take charge at Guangzhou R&F, another Chinese Super League club, before moving to Shanghai last November.
“Al Ain would be loath to lose Gyan, but a big-money offer could tempt them. Last season, he struggled with injury, featuring in 17 Arabian Gulf League matches, although he still scored 13 goals.
“Gyan could be convinced to transfer to Shanghai if reports suggesting he will be set to earn £250,000 (Dh1.44 million) per week are true. Al Ain were unavailable for comment yesterday.”
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