SUNDERLAND and Asamoah Gyan are blaming each other for the Ghanaian’s move to Al-Ain on a season-long loan.
News of the departure came as a huge shock because just over 24 hours earlier manager Steve Bruce “confirmed” Gyan would not leave in 2011.
The move, with a view to a permanent transfer, is thought to have quadrupled Gyan’s wages even though the United Arab Emirates club’s attendances are normally in the hundreds.
After Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea, Bruce was quick to infer Gyan’s desire to cash in forced his hand. The striker claimed he was left with “no choice” by the Black Cats.
“The offer was too good to refuse,” said the £13m signing from Rennes. “But I did not have a choice once Sunderland accepted Al-Ain’s proposal.”
Bruce, who sold Darren Bent to Aston Villa and Jordan Henderson to Liverpool earlier this year, claimed the deal was only put to him at 9.15am on Saturday.
In a meeting between himself, Gyan and his representative on Thursday, Bruce claims the striker promised to see out the season.
“We wouldn’t have done it without me saying yes to it,” he confirmed. “I don’t think I have any choice if someone is adamant they want to leave.
“Football leaves a bad taste in your mouth sometimes. I can’t understand someone’s logic – Africa’s player of the year, a hero in his own country, to leave the biggest stage in the world to go and play in the Emirates. If it had been Real Madrid – and I spat out my porridge the day that was mentioned! – then we’d understand. I met him on Thursday, with his agent, and it’s transpired he’s talking to this, that and the other and wants to go to the UAE.
