UAE side Al Ain have warned Sunderland that they will not release their hot Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan to the English side before his loan deal expires.
New Sunderland coach Martin O'Neil is considering the option of bringing back the Ghanaian player back to the English Premier League.
The struggling Black Cats are considering a January return for Gyan when the transfer window opens to boost their chances of surviving.
But Al Ain coach Cosmin Olaroiu is confident Gyan will see out his loan deal with the club, as he has developed an affinity for the club.
Gyan signed for Al Ain on a season-long loan deal from English Premier League side Sunderland in September, having fallen out with then-Black Cats boss Steve Bruce.
Gyan has gone on to score seven goals in nine games for his new club – including six in six in the league – and was on target again on Friday night as his penalty set up a 2-0 win over Al Wasl at the Tahnoun Bin Mohammed Stadium.
Olaroiu hailed that performance as the best since the striker arrived in the UAE, and he is confident the club can hang on to their prized asset despite new Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill admitting he was keen to explore the possibility of bringing Gyan back to the Stadium of Light.
“Asamoah played one of the best games since he came here,†the Romanian said.
“What I have received from him, always he plays with the team and for the team.
“He’s a player who’s learning. With Ghana when he plays really well he’s always alone up front, with support from the back. What is happening now in this way, he feels more comfortable.
“I think he feels good here, I think we supported him to come back into shape and to do good things for the national team in the African Nations Cup.
"It is also my opinion that he feels something for this team and for the people who work with him, and he will remain here.â€