Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has confirmed that record signing Asamoah Gyan is unlikely to return to the club after his season-long loan deal runs out.
The Ghanaian has two years remaining on his contract with Sunderland.
According to O'Neill, Gyan, who is on loan at United Emirates side Al-Ain, seems unwilling to return to Sunderland this summer.
"The situation is, I believe it was a year-long loan for a start for which they had to pay us some money of the transfer fee which we paid in the first place, and that is still in existence," said O'Neill.
"There was some talk between all parties in January that didn't come to anything. I wasn't party to those conversations, although I was kept informed of them, of course.
"I think it will be the end of the season before I can assess anything. There has to be a willingness on behalf of all parties as well; you wouldn't really want somebody who is really unwilling to come back to the football club, if that's the case. It's unfair of me to say that because it might not be the case, but it seems to be the message that's coming across."
Gyan, a £13million-plus from French side Rennes made a shock move to United Emirates side Al-Ain on a season-long loan deal in September.