Kotoko launch audacious bid for Stephen Appiah

will appiah return home?

Local Ghana giants Kumasi Asante Kotoko have launched an audacious bid to sign the club-less Ghana captain Stephen Appiah.

 
The Porcupine Warriors have made an offer to his Turkish club Fenerbahce to enable them sign the mercurial and inspirational midfielder.

 
The 28-year-old has been without a club since falling out with Fenerbahce over a botched knee surgery which kept him out of action for nearly one-year.

 
But since then he has recovered handsomely and led the Ghana national team to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

 
Having completed the signing of Baffour Gyan from his Russia, Kotoko are convinced they can also do a deal for Appiah to return home at least on loan.

 
“We know he is still technically a Fenerbahce player and have asked that they give him to us on loan,” Ali Maradona, Kotoko spokesman said.

 
“They have asked us to give them a week so we are waiting. We are convinced this will be good for Appiah and good for us too.”

 
Fenerbahce have been unwilling to release Appiah despite several offers from top clubs across Europe. Appiah has 2.3m Euros as his transfer amount set by Fifa but Fenerbahce have vehemently contested Fifa's valuation for the player.

 
But an Appiah loan deal for Kotoko will boost attendances for their league matches as the Ghana skipper is hugely respected in the country.

 
As he played for arch rivals Hearts of Oak as a youngster, Kotoko's clinching of his signature would be seen as a major coup for the Kumasi-based club.

 
Appiah played for Udinese, Parma, Bresciaand Juventus before leaving to join Turkish outfit Fernebahce.

  Kotoko want to boost their ranks with Ghanaian players in Europe to help them annex the local and continental titles.