Former Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan is set to become one of the highest paid players in world football.
The 29-year-old Ghanaian, who spent just one full season in the Premier League on the back of the 2010 World Cup, is on the brink of signing with Chinese side Shanghai SIPG, who are managed by ex-England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson.
The deal will see him earn $350,000-a-week (£227,000), a weekly amount only bettered by a handful of the planet’s best players.
Gyan already earns $250,000-a-week at current side Al Ain, but where will his new deal place him alongside the sport’s top earners?
1. Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid – Reported salary: £650,000-a-week
The reigning World Player of the Year is the highest paid footballer on the planet.
With an unbelievable goal record of 313 goals in 300 games since moving to Madrid in 2009, it’s difficult to argue against him deserving it.
2. Lionel Messi, FC Barcelona – Reported salary: £645,000-a-week
The Argentine maestro earns over £600,000-a-week, but, like Ronaldo, sacrifices 52% of it in tax, ending up with just under £300,000 each week.
He and Ronaldo are streaks ahead of the rest of the field in terms of their club salary.
3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, PSG – Reported salary: £410,000-a-week
Ibra has made a career out of big money transfers – and he can play a bit too.
The 33-year-old Swede has Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan and PSG on his CV.
He’s been a revelation in France since moving to the Parc des Princes in 2012, scoring 106 goals in 126 games.
4. Gareth Bale, Real Madrid – Reported salary: £320,000-a-week
You might well be celebrating given the size of your bank balance, Gareth.
Bale endured a poor season in Madrid last term but will undoubtedly be back to his best next term
5. James Rodriguez, Real Madrid – Reported salary: £305,000-a-week
That is one valuable left boot. Rodriguez was handed a bumper salary by Los Blancos following his move from Monaco.
6. Wayne Rooney, Manchester United – Reported salary: £250,000-a-week
The England captain isn’t doing too badly for himself.
Critics would say he’s held United to ransom for his last two contracts, but he remains a talisman for the Red Devils on the pitch and is a marketer’s dream off it.
7. Robin van Persie, Manchester United – Reported salary: £250,000-a-week
The Dutchman moved to Old Trafford from Arsenal in 2012, penning a bumper deal.
He could be on his way out of Manchester this summer though, with Dutch side Fenerbahce interested in his services.
8. Sergio Aguero, Manchester City – Reported salary: £220,000-a-week
City fans will tell you he’s worth every penny – and they’ll be right.
He’s bagged 107 goals for the Citizens in 162 games since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2011.
9. Yaya Toure, Manchester City – Reported salary: £210,000-a-week
Toure didn’t enjoy his best season last time out, as rumours surrounding his future at the Etihad refused to go away.
He has two years left to run on the four-year deal he signed in 2013, and has vowed to see them out.
10. Luis Suarez, FC Barcelona – Reported salary: £205,000-a-week
Barcelona supporters already adore him, and it’s easy to understand why.
He was hugely influential in the Blaugrana’s treble triumph last season and has so far been worth every penny of the £75m Barca paid Liverpool for him last summer.
And so concludes our countdown of the top 10 highest earning footballers in the world.
However, this list is set to change soon. Gyan’s move to China could see him bumped up to No 8 on the list, remarkably replacing Sergio Aguero and dumping his 2010 World Cup nemesis Luis Suarez out of the top 10.
Source: Mirror