Transfers of Thursday, 15 August 2013

Source: ghanasoccernet.com

Gyan confirms broken-down talks to join Galatasaray

Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan has confirmed he almost sealed a surprise move back to Europe to join Galatasaray.

The Turkish giants made an offer to sign the Black Stars captain from Al Ain this off-season.

Galatasaray had promised to pay Gyan a weekly wage of around 150,000 Euros to make him one of the highest earners in the club alongside Didier Drogba.

But this is quite far from the amount being given the 27-year-old at his oil-rich UAE club Al Ain.

As a result, talks broke down and the prospective deal to have Ghana’s leading striker to return to Europe vanished.

The former Sunderland striker has now confirmed holding talks with the Turkish club after hitting a brace to help Ghana hold Turkey to a 2-2 draw on Wednesday night in Istanbul.

“I had the opportunity to come here but it didn’t go through,” Gyan said.

“As a footballer things happen, if you do well definitely there will be teams attracted to you.

“What I have to say is my opportunity coming here didn’t happen and so I had to just continue with my career and I am happy with what I am doing now.”

Gyan has enjoyed immense success since joining Al Ain two seasons ago.

He has won back-to-back league titles in the UAE while emerging top scorer on two successive occasions.