Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan is open to a return to Sunderland, according to reports from the Wearside.

The 26-year-old has been a hit at UAE side Al-Ain since his shock loan move to the Gulf in September last year.

Al-Ain officials are keen to tying down the Ghana international to a permanent.

Last month, the English Premier League side announced that an unnamed Qatari side had made a bid for the former Rennes ace.

But reports from Sunderland say manager Martin O’Neil is keen on getting Gyan back at the Stadium of Light to help his new project at the club.

“There have been talks in the past few days with the player (Gyan) who is quite open about returning to the club,” a Sunderland insider told the Sunderland Echo.

“O’Neil is leaving his options open at the end of the season and both parties will sit down for further talks in the summer and Gyan is positive about it.”

Gyan scored a brace last Friday to become the UAE Etisalat Pro League top scorer with 15 goals.