Hulk signing to force Asamoah Gyan out of SIPG?
Rumors have emerged that Black Stars skipper, Asamoah Gyan is set to be released by Chinese Super League (CSL) powerhouse, Shanghai SIPG FC now that the club has signed Brazilian winger Hulk.
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SIPG recently acquired the 29-year-old Hulk from Russian Premier League side FC Zenit Saint Petersburg for a new Chinese transfer record of €55.8 million.
The 5-foot-11 Campina Grande, Brazil native whose real name is Givanildo Vieira de Sousa was given a salary of €320,000 per week (€16.6 million annually). The sum is double of what Brazil captain, Junior Neymar earns in Barcelona and makes him one of the highest-paid footballers in the world.
With such an expensive investment, the Red Eagles as SIPG are known are expected to maximize his utilization for the foreseeable future.
According to CSL rules, only four non-Asian imports and one Asian international can be fielded for each club in the China top flight competitions.
At the moment, SIPG has six internationals with five non-Asian ones, namely Gyan, Hulk, Dario Conca, Jean Evrard Kouassi, and Elkeson. The team's Asian import is South Korean defender Kim Ju-young.
Goal reported that the 30-year-old goal scorer is on the verge of leaving the club after Hulk's arrival and that SIPG have already agreed to end Gyan's two-year contract".
Gyan is currently earning €271,000 per week, which makes him the world's sixth highest-paid football player, and SIPG is said to be keen on getting him off their wage bill.
The former Liberty Professionals player has been hindered by niggling injuries which has led to a lackluster stint at the Shanghai Stadium.
In recent weeks, he has also lost his starting role in the SIPG team to 21-year-old Ivorian youngster, Kouassi.
Meanwhile, SIPG coach Sven-Göran Eriksson has remained coy about his striker's future, saying: "Sorry, I am not clear at the moment on what is going to happen with Asamoah," when he was quizzed by a reporter.
Eriksson has yet to field Hulk since his acquisition on June 30. However, the Brazil international is expected to be part of the team's starting XI against Henan Jianye on Sunday.