Gyan's international future is even cloudier. He has been a key figure for Ghana for nearly seven years, but is considering retiring from national team duty. The criticism he's received after the Black Stars' elimination in the semifinal of the Africa Cup of Nations made him walk away from his national team, but the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is urging him to reconsider, according to the Evening Chronicle.
Sunderland's situation has not made it any easier for Gyan to make up his mind. He joined the club in August 2010 for a record £13 million ($20.7 million) from French club Rennes. A respectable 10 goals in 31 league games led many to believe he had a bright future in English soccer. But he unexpectedly agreed to the lucrative loan in October.
"Gyan obviously is an important player for us. He is not only scoring for us but also creates scoring opportunities for the others and most importantly, he motivates the other players."
Instability at the boardroom level -- former chairman Niall Quinn stepped down last fall -- and the team's slow start in league play cost manager Steve Bruce his job at the end of November. His replacement, Martin O'Neil, has reinvigorated Sunderland in his first three months in charge, and earning a place in next season's Europa League is a possibility. It seems Gyan is taking a wait-and-see approach to deciding his future.
Photo via Flickr/makeroadssafe
Few people, if anyone at all, knows what the striker's next move will be. But he will likely remain one of Africa's top players for years to come regardless of where he plays.
Sunderland AFC owns Gyan's contract. But the Premier League club loaned him -- for a whopping £6 million ($9.6 million) -- to Al-Ain, a club in the United Arab Emirates. The loan started in October, and runs through the end of the Premier League campaign.
"The Ghana Football Association has received a letter from striker Asamoah Gyan announcing his decision to take a temporary break from the Black Stars," a GFA statement said. "Mr. Gyan is frustrated over the verbal abuse he has received since playing for the country at the 2012 African Nations Cup. The GFA is in talks with Mr. Gyan to urge him to reconsider his decision."
Gyan has been cagey in his public remarks about his future. He is enjoying his time in the Middle East, and scoring goals in bunches. His 11 goals in 10 Etisalat Pro-League games have made Al-Ain head coach Cosmin Olaroiu push to sign the 26-year-old on a permanent basis.
Asamoah Gyan is one of world soccer's most in-demand players, but not in the traditional sense. He's not linked to top clubs as part of routine transfer speculation.
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The Ghanaian striker's services are being courted by his national team and two clubs to whom he is contracted, according to the Northern Echo.
"If you ask me for my opinion if Gyan wants to stay in Al Ain, it is yes, but it is left for him to decide if he want to stay or not," Olaroiu said. "From what I know about him and the way he acts, I know he feels good about this place. He is getting on well with the team, with us, the club management and with everybody around him.
"Will I come back to Sunderland at the end of this season?" Gyan said. "For now I don't want to talk about my situation because I am currently on loan and I am doing well. So let's see where my future lies after my loan deal."
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