Asante Kotoko leading Hearts of Oak and Kaizer Chiefs in race to sign Muntari and Gyan
Ghana Premier League side Asante Kotoko are now leading the race, likely to beat Hearts of Oak and Premier Soccer League club Kaizer Chiefs to the signing of Asamoah Gyan and Sulley Muntari.
Gyan has remained clubless after ending his spell with Indian Super League outfits NorthEast back in January this year. The former Black Stars captain is in search of a new challenge and could finally join a club he has stated he will retire at Kotoko.
And despite interest from Europe and Asia, the Kumasi based side remain favorites to sign Gyan for their next season campaign as revealed by agent Anim Addo.
“Kotoko have said they like him because he once stated that he’ll one day play for Kotoko, but for now, no club has approached him with any offer,” Gyan’s agent told Graphic Sports.
“Gyan has had offers from Europe and Asia but if Kotoko can meet our terms, then why not?”
Gyan, who played for Liberty Professionals during his time in the domestic league, desire to play for Ghana Premier League side dates back to seven years ago.
In 2013, Gyan told Angel FM that “I will definitely return one day to the Ghana Premier League where I will play for no other club than Asante Kotoko.
”I have and always been a big fan of Kotoko and always wish the club win games and trophies.”
The former Sunderland forward reiterated his desire in 2018, saying, “I have said it over and over again. I am definitely going to play for Kotoko.
“It’s official and confirmed – people know and I always say it. I am going to play for Kumasi Asante Kotoko before I retire,” he was reported by Ghana Sports Online as saying.
Gyan, 34, left Liberty for Italian Seria A side Udinese in 2003. He has gone on to represent Modena, Stade Rennes, Sunderland, Al Ain, Shanghai SIPG, Al Ahli Dubai and Kayserispor.
In Muntari’s transfer, he could swerve Hearts of Oak and Kaizer Chiefs for Kotoko after revealing his love for 23-time Ghana Premier League winners.
The 35-year old Ghana International opened a new quest to make a move to Kaizer Chiefs and Hearts of Oak after ending a six-month stint with Spanish second division outfit Albacete last year, but has lately expressed his love for rivals Asante Kotoko.
“I love Kotoko. They tried signing me when l was a young player in Kumasi,” Muntari said in an Instagram Live chat with his fans.
“I would love to retire with them, but l would not rule out Hearts, RTU [Real Tamale United], King Faisal or Liberty Professionals.”
The former AC Milan star played for Ghana Premier League side Liberty Professionals before first travelling abroad to join Udinese in 2002.
In a 2012-13 Ghana Premier League run-in where Kotoko went head-to-head with Berekum Chelsea ahead of the final matchweek, Muntari backed Kotoko to win the title, saying, “All I know is Kotoko is going to win the league this weekend, they have been doing well this season and I think with the consistency and their strong mentality, they are going to win.
“I don’t know why the PLB [Professional League Board] won’t give the cup to Kotoko if they win because they have a greater goal difference. I think it is something they have to take a second look at. But I trust in the boys to deliver and Kotoko will be winners after the final matches.”
His time abroad has been very productive as he has won the Champions League, Fifa Club World Cup, two Italian Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia trophies and two Italian Super Cup golds during a four-year stay with Inter between 2008 and 2012.
Earlier, he helped Portsmouth win the English FA Cup in 2008.
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