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Sports News of Friday, 22 May 2015

Source: goal.com

Afriyie Acquah agent confident Sampdoria will sign

The Black Star is coming to the end of his loan spell from Hoffenheim, but his agent is confident that he will still be with Samp next season

Afriyie Acquah has been a hit at Sampdoria since moving to the Stade Luigi Ferraris on loan from Hoffenheim in February.

The Ghana international’s temporary stay in Genoa is coming to an end, but his agent is confident that the Italian side will acquire him on a permanent deal this summer.

Oliver Arthur, speaking to Tutto Mercato Web, admitted that it was likely Sinisa Mihajlovic and his team would look to tie Acquah to the club.

“They [Sampdoria] have an option-to-buy clause,” he began, “and we are confident that they will exercise this right.”

Despite not arriving at the club accompanied by great expectation, Acquah has impressed in Serie A, despite only making eight appearances.

Acquah signed for Sampdoria while in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, during a month away on international duty with Ghana, muscling his way into Avram Grant’s starting XI at the expense of Mohamed Rabiu as the Black Stars made it to the final.

The 23-year-old, who spent the first half of the campaign on loan at Parma, finally made his debut for Sampdoria on February 15 in a 2-1 defeat away at Chievo.

He delivered an outstanding display in the Genoa derby—a 1-1 draw—and scored his first goal for the club in a recent 4-1 triumph over Udinese.

Acquah went unbeaten in six of his first seven Sampdoria outings, only tasting defeat for the second time last weekend when Mihajlovic’s outfit came up against second-placed Lazio.

It hasn’t all been plain sailing, and despite enjoying a fine rapport with fellow Ghanaian midfielder Alfred Duncan, Acquah was dismissed for a second yellow card in a home draw with Hellas Verona.

Recently, the player was named by Yaya Toure as the Ivorian’s heir apparent at Manchester City, according to the Express, prompting rumours of a summer switch to the Etihad Stadium. However, if Arthur’s comments are anything to go by, the 23-year-old will still be in Serie A next term.