Captain of Ghana's senior national football team, Asamoah Gyan is set for a shock return to the UAE on loan with current champions Al Ahli  after leaving the Arabian Gulf League last summer.

The move comes as a surprise considering Gyan's previous success with Al Ahli's league rivals, Al Ain.

The Ghanaian joined China's Shanghai SIPG from Al Ain last summer after scoring an impressive 128 goals in 123 matches at the Arabian club.

The player had earlier been linked to a number of clubs including former club Sunderland, national team mate Andre Ayew's West Ham United and Fulham where he reportedly failed a medical.

Gyan however denied the reports in a tweet which suggested the Championship side refused to allow him participate for Ghana in the 2017 AFCON games.

Gyan's manager of two years at Al Ain Cosmin Olaroiu could be the pivot of the move considering the striker's blistering performances under the Romanian trainer who is the current manager of Al Ahli.

A passed medical with Al Ahli could see "Baby Jet" replace Senegalese forward, Moussa Sow who joined Al Ahli from Fenerbache last season on loan.

Sow who joined from Fenerbahce last September in a record €17 million (Dh70m) deal, scored 13 times in 24 league matches to ensure Ahli were crowned champions for the second time in three seasons. It is understood, though, that he will return to the Istanbul club, initially temporarily with the view to a permanent switch being struck if the move proves a success.

The Ghana skipper's 95 goals in 83 league matches in the space of four years helped Al Ain secure three top flight titles. The footballer who doubles as a boxing promoter won three Golden Boot Award in the process.

Al Ahli finished nine points ahead of Al Ain last season.

By Musah Abelyire/ghanaguardian.com

twitter: @One_Real_Writer