West Ham Transfer Rumours: Irons Wise to Show Interest in Asamoah Gyan – Bleacher Report
Heading into Christmas with 14 points, sitting right on the edge of the relegation zone, West Ham needs a spark in the upcoming transfer window.
According to Sky Sports, former Sunderland striker and current Ghana skipper Asamoah Gyan could be that spark:
Sources close to Asamoah Gyan have told Sky Sports News that West Ham have made an approach to take the striker on loan.
West Ham have made no comment on claims they want to sign Gyan on a six-month loan deal in January.
It’s obviously important to take this kind of rumour with a grain of salt, as it doesn’t appear to have many legs right now, but it’s a potentially intriguing move for Sam Allardyce’s side.
Gyan has spent the last three seasons in the United Arab Emirates playing for Al Ain. During the 2011-12 season, the star from Ghana led the UAE Pro League with 22 goals in just 18 appearances, per Soccerway. He also carried his side, which was near the bottom of the table the year prior, to a title.
The following season, he did it again, leading the league in goals (31 in 22 appearances) and helping Al Ain capture another championship. In 2013-14, he has found the net 14 more times in 11 league matches.
Put it all together, and in a little more than two full seasons, he has poured in 67 goals. Across all UAE competition, that number has risen above 70, a new record for such a time span:
Now, don’t get me wrong. A jump from the Arabian Gulf League to the English Premier League is akin to a jump from high school to the NBA, if that were still legal.
But don’t forget, Gyan, per Soccerway, scored 10 goals in 31 EPL appearances (20 starts, 11 off the bench) with Sunderland during the 2010-11 season. He averaged a goal about once every 200 minutes.
While that number may not seem spectacular, consider that Ravel Morrison, West Ham’s leading scorer in EPL competition, is averaging about one every 370 minutes.
The Irons, who have scored more goals (14) than just three other Premier League squads, need a player who has a nose for goal. Gyan is just that.
First and foremost, he is a finisher.
Gyan’s blistering form has extended to the international level as well. He netted six goals in six qualifying matches, helping Ghana book a place in Brazil. Most recently, he fired off a second-half brace, helping the Black Stars draw Turkey 2-2 in a friendly.
For his efforts, he was recently named a finalist for the 2013 African Player of the Year, an award won by Yaya Toure the last two years.
“My football career is going well right now,” Gyan said, via GhanaFA.org. “At international level I couldn’t be happier with how things are going for Ghana right now too. I’m enjoying my life and I’m enjoying the game.”
There are certainly question marks when it comes to Gyan, and the price of his transfer will go a long way in determining the “success” of any potential deal.
But this is a red-hot player who scores goals, has experience—and production—in the EPL, and shouldn’t break the bank for West Ham, a side in need of help to avoid relegation.
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