Stephen Appiah's Dilemma

FENERBAHCE midfielder Stephen Appiah is in a big dilemma as he contemplates which club he chooses to join next season after being linked with as many as four European clubs who are all eager to rope him into their fold. The 26 year old Ghanaian captain has been the subject of several boardroom transfer discussions after making it known that he will fancy a move away from the Sukru Saracoglu stadium in Turkey where he's a fan favourite. As well as Celtic FC in Scotland, Schalke in Germany and his former team Juventus all lining a bid for the talented midfielder, Valencia FC of Spain also continues to be in the hunt for Appiah.

Having lost Lincoln to Galatasaray, Schalke are looking to renew their interest in Appiah after their first bid was knocked back with the player's wages being the major stumbling block. But after receiving €5 million for the sale of Brazilian Lincoln to the Turkish club, the coffers are a little fuller. Schalke have also just paid out €3 million to FC Basel for 19 year old Swiss midfielder Ivan Rakitic, but trainer Mirko Slomka continues to press his employers to get Appiah as well as Leon Andreason from Werder Bremen. New Schalke President Josef Schnusenberg agrees and announced recently at a press conference for the start of pre-season training “At the moment we are in discussions with his advisor. First of all we will have to determine the conditions for him to play for us, and then we can talk to Fenerbahce. But we will do all we can to get Appiah”

Spanish club Valencia is also a likely destination for Appiah but they have not made a firm move for the player even though they have made tentative enquiries about his availability which this paper revealed a couple of months ago. The Spanish club is waiting to see which players might leave to have a first hand idea of whom to recruit. But it's believed they will be in the market for a midfielder cast in the Appiah mould and have penciled him as a prime target after receiving rave reviews about him. It is believed Appiah will like a move to Valencia where the level of competition and their style of play will suit him and enhance his image in Europe.

But it seems the club who are primed to prise Appiah away might be Scottish Premier League (SPL) champions Glascow Celtic. “The Hoops” have earmarked Appiah to replace former Real Madrid misfit Thomas Gravesen who didn't perform for Celtic last season, and fell out of the first-team picture by the time of the Scottish Cup win. Various newspaper reports have quoted various figures as to the transfer fee to seal the deal with the Times of UK saying Appiah will be available for £5.7million. The regular Champions League campaigners are poised to blend a youthful and experienced side to challenge for honours on all fronts next season.

They underlined their mission with the capture of AC Milan midfielder Massimo Donati just a few days ago. The Italian midfielder has joined the Scottish Champions on a four-year deal and is manager Gordon Strachan's fourth signing of the close season, after Scott Brown, Scott McDonald and Chris Killen, all youthful players who might be useful additions to the squad. Celtic are also in the hunt for Nac Breda's Dutch under-21 striker Maceo Rigters. The modest Dutch outfit is resigned to losing their star striker, the reason they have signed Ghanaian striker Matthew Amoah on a three year deal to replace him. But reports say the sticking point is Appiah's wage demands of around £40,000-a-week which might prove to be a stumbling block.

Even though Appiah's former club Juventus continues to be linked with almost every player on the planet, they have never hidden their interest in bringing Appiah back to the Stade Delle Alpi. They recently signed former Chelsea and Lyon midfielder Tiago Mendes and Sergio Almiron from Empoli. They've also brought in Vincenzo Iaquinta, Cristian Molinaro of Siena, Piacenza's Antonio Nocerino and Domenico Criscito from Genoa. There's a new coach in former Chelsea manager Claudio “The Tinkerman” Ranieri for the Old Lady and might ring a few changes including bringing over Appiah who had a terrific time during his stay in Turin.

Appiah is recuperating from an operation on his knee but will surely be ready for pre-season by which time it will be clearer on his likely destination. 90 Minutes will bring all the details to our cherished readers as soon as a decision is made, a reason why you should never miss a copy.

*** West Ham are leading the chase for £5million-rated Stephen Appiah from Turkish giants Fenerbahce. The 26-year-old Ghana captain, who has two years left on his contract, came close to joining Arsenal last summer. Now Hammers boss Alan Curbishley is ready to swoop for the former Juventus star in order to add Appiah to his new-look midfield, according to reports in The Daily Mirror.