Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan is unsure about his future at Chinese Super League club Shanghai SIPG, following the signing of Brazil’s Hulk as the side’s main attacker.
Brazilian Hulk signed with the club earlier in the month for an Asian transfer record GBP£45-million deal, and will be paid £320,000 per week in Shanghai, or £16.6 million per year.
This topples Gyan as the highest-paid player in China, alongside the arrival of Graziano Pellè at Shandong Luneng for a £12.5 million annual salary, as the Ghanaian is now third on the list with a wage of £11.8 million per year.
Gyan spoke about Hulk’s arrival, admitting that expectations on him as a striker will lessen, and that the Brazilian was brought in due to the Black Star captain’s injury issues.
Speaking to a radio station in Ghana, Gyan admitted: ‘My stay at Shanghai SIPG is a bit complicated. Because of my persistent injuries they decided to bring in someone to augment the team so that the expectations on me will be reduced because of my current situation.’
‘My situation at Shanghai SIPG is complicated but I’m looking at options. Hulk will be part of the strikers but definitely he will be the preferable choice upfront due to my persistent injuries. So my future at Shanghai is 50-50,’ he added.
Gyan’s time in China has been average by his high standards, as injuries have only allowed him to score five goals in 15 appearances since joining last year from Al Ain.