Departing Al Ain legend Asamoah Gyan insists move to Shanghai SIPG is not motivated by money

Gyan set to join Chinese club Shanghai SIPG

Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan has denied beliefs that his move to Shanghai SIPG is mainly motivated by the huge financial inducements offered by the Chinese club.

The Black Stars captain will arrive in China on Wednesday afternoon to undergo a medical and sign a contract to become the latest big-name signing in the Super League.

Shanghai SIPG paid around EUR20m to Al Ain to sign the former Sunderland man who will be earning a staggering weekly wage in excess of $300,000.

Gyan first caused a major stir in world football four-years ago with his move to Al Ain from Sunderland in what was at the time a record loan deal worth £6m.

The Ghana international's wages rose significantly to make him one of the best paid African players in the world.

His imminent move to China will now extend his wealth as it will make him reportedly the 8^th best paid player in world football in a list that also features the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Wayne Rooney and Yaya Toure.

But Gyan who played for Udinese and Stade Rennes in the past insists his latest move is not motivated by the huge money he stands to earn but was rather looking for a new challenge.

“The truth is I was looking for a new challenge with the Shanghai team and the money was not the primary motivation in my departure to the Chinese Super League,' he told a press conference on Tuesday evening ahead of his departure to China.

'I hope that I am successful in the new challenge as we have already succeeded with Al Ain.

'It is my ambition to win the Chinese Super League with Shanghai so I will show my best there and in the end the football equivalent of best exercised.”

Gyan is leaving Al Ain having helped the side win three domestic league titles in his four-year stay.

He was also instrumental in the side's rise to a semi final finish in last season's Asian Champions League.