Pro League champions-elect Al Ain have held talks with Sunderland over signing on-loan Asamoah Gyan on a permanent basis, Black Cats boss Martin O'Neill has confirmed.
However, the Ulsterman insists no agreement has been reached between the two parties despite Al Ain's CEO Carlos Nohra telling Sport360° last month that the club were in the "driving seat" to sign the Ghana star.
Gyan, 26, has been a revelation since joining Al Ain in a €6million season-long deal last September, firing The Boss to within touching distance of a 10th Pro League title with 15 goals in just 13 league outings, and 20 in all competitions.
It comes as no surprise then that the side from the Oasis city are keen to tie the player down to a long-term deal, with Nohra hinting last month a deal to keep the Ghanaian at the Tahnoun Bin Mohamed Stadium was all but done.
"We have a contract in place which has certain provisions for a permanent transfer so we are in no rush to make the decision now," Nohra said at the time.
"We are in the driving seat and we will remain in that position until the clauses in the deal expire.''
One of those ''clauses'' was believed to have entitled Al Ain to purchase Gyan out right for an additional fee of €3.5million at the end of the season, something Nohra hinted at.
''Yes, it would be safe to say that (the club have first refusal on the player). We are in an even stronger position that having first rights. But let’s leave it at that."
However, O'Neill has thrown those claims into doubt despite acknowledging it is unlikely Gyan, Sunderland's record signing when he joined in a £13million deal from Rennes in August 2010, will return to the Stadium of Light after the expiration of his loan deal in the Emirates.
"The situation is, I believe it was a year-long loan for a start for which they had to pay us some money of the transfer fee which we paid in the first place, and that is still in existence," O'Neill said on Friday.
"There was some talk between all parties in January that didn't come to anything. I wasn't party to those conversations, although I was kept informed of them, of course. I think it will be the end of the season before I can assess anything.
He added: "There has to be a willingness on behalf of all parties as well; you wouldn't really want somebody who is really unwilling to come back to the football club, if that's the case. It's unfair of me to say that because it might not be the case, but it seems to be the message that's coming across."
Al Ain supremo Nohra expressed his belief that Gyan would be happy to remain at the club, with the Ghanaian publicly stating that he felt at "home" in the UAE, despite reported interest from clubs in Qatar.
Gyan is known to be enjoying life in the Emirates and spoke recently of how the Al Ain fans have become like a “family†to him following his African Cup of Nations misery which saw retire from international football “indefinitely†having received death threats.
“We have had a conversation with Asamoah," said Nohra.
''He has declared he is happy at the club but more importantly his actions have spoken louder than any words. Coming back from the African Cup of Nations at his own cost and at great expense as well in time to play for the club speak volumes."
It now remains to be seen whether Al Ain will tie down their talisman, and likely Pro League Player of the Year, with a host of clubs in Europe and the Middle East, including other sides in the UAE, believed to be keeping a close eye on the situation.