Asamoah Gyan scored the goal that fired Al Ain into the 2015 AFC Champions League but it remains unclear whether the Ghana striker will be around to take part.
The former Rennes and Sunderland frontman tapped home Omar Abdulrahman’s unselfish pass to secure a 1-0 win over Al Ahli in Sunday night’s President’s Cup final. It was his 45th strike in all competitions this season and ensured the Boss lifted the famous trophy for a sixth time, thus securing the 2014 Champions League quarterfinalists a place in Asia’s premier club competition next year.
However, following the Zayed Sports City showpiece Gyan refused to confirm whether he would still be at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium by then, insisting his focus was solely on this summer’s World Cup.
“Personally I just have to think about my World Cup and next season is another thing altogether,” he said. “I need to be concentrated on the World Cup because that’s the only competition left and then think about next season.”
Gyan was a January target for several Premier League clubs including West Ham, Stoke and relegated Fulham but spurned those offers saying it would have been irresponsible to leave Al Ain at that time.
He has always maintained he would decide his future only after his commitments in Brazil, but the 28-year-old gave a hint that he would be staying in Al Ain as he praised the impact of coach Zlatko Dalic.
“Our confidence level is building up with the new coach, new staff and a different tactic. And it’s working. Our last 10 games have been great,” said Gyan of the Croatian, who has led the Boss to 10 wins in 15 games in charge.
“It’s a good sign for next season but we don’t know what is going to happen. It will depend on our preparations and everything – the confidence level is high.
“We have a new coach, he didn’t arrive in time but next season he’s going to bring more to our game and we’re going to abide by it. We’ll see what happens.”
Al Ain’s technical committee are expected to meet to discuss the club’s transfer plans this summer and make a decision on their foreign players.
Alex Brosque and Mirel Radoi are both resigned to leaving while it is unlikely that Yassine El Ghanassy’s loan from Belgian club Gent will be extended.
Australian forward Brosque has told Boss fans to expect a busy summer in the transfer market, but does not think that will derail the club’s AFC Champions League bid.
“The off-season will be interesting, they are going to sign a few players and it might be a different squad,” he said. “Al Ain will always have a strong squad and whoever comes in next year will do well in the quarterfinal.”
Al Ain will discover their last eight opponents on May 28, with the quarter-finals set to take place on August 19 and 26.
