Good, puts an end to that rumour.....
Martin O'Neill will have to look for fresh striking talent during the winter transfer window - after learning Asamoah Gyan won't be returning to Sunderland in January.
The Black Cats' new boss said on his first day in the job that he would review Gyan's loan switch to Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates.
He has now learned that the Ghanaian World Cup star will see out the season in the Gulf, as Sunderland have no powers of recall under the terms of the loan agreement.
The only way Gyan can come back is if Al Ain decide they no longer want him, but their manager, Cosmin Olaroiu, has insisted they are delighted with the deal.
Gyan, who has netted six goals in six league games for Al Ain, is also happy to see out his year before eyeing his next move.
He will continue to earn around £200,000 a week while on loan, having been on 'just' 30k per week at the Stadium of Light.
The news means Sunderland will bank all of the world-record £6million loan fee Al Ain paid to get Gyan - cash which O'Neill will now be given to rejig his squad.
O'Neill, who has been linked in France with PSG's Turkish striker Mevlut Erdinc, will seek forward alternatives as a matter of priority, with an injection of pace seen as essential.
"For now, I can't really say anything about Sunderland," said Gyan. "I am on loan for a year so we will have to see what happens at the end of the season. I am doing well. So let's see where my future lies after my loan deal."
Romanian Olaroiu added: "I think he feels good here, I think we supported him to come back into shape and he will remain here
Martin O'Neill will have to look for fresh striking talent during the winter transfer window - after learning Asamoah Gyan won't be returning to Sunderland in January.
The Black Cats' new boss said on his first day in the job that he would review Gyan's loan switch to Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates.
He has now learned that the Ghanaian World Cup star will see out the season in the Gulf, as Sunderland have no powers of recall under the terms of the loan agreement.
The only way Gyan can come back is if Al Ain decide they no longer want him, but their manager, Cosmin Olaroiu, has insisted they are delighted with the deal.
Gyan, who has netted six goals in six league games for Al Ain, is also happy to see out his year before eyeing his next move.
He will continue to earn around £200,000 a week while on loan, having been on 'just' 30k per week at the Stadium of Light.
The news means Sunderland will bank all of the world-record £6million loan fee Al Ain paid to get Gyan - cash which O'Neill will now be given to rejig his squad.
O'Neill, who has been linked in France with PSG's Turkish striker Mevlut Erdinc, will seek forward alternatives as a matter of priority, with an injection of pace seen as essential.
"For now, I can't really say anything about Sunderland," said Gyan. "I am on loan for a year so we will have to see what happens at the end of the season. I am doing well. So let's see where my future lies after my loan deal."
Romanian Olaroiu added: "I think he feels good here, I think we supported him to come back into shape and he will remain here
