Kwesi Appiah set to seal loan deal with Reading

Ghana striker Kwesi Appiah is on the verge of joining English Championship side Reading by the end of today, GHANAsoccernet.com can exclusively report.

The 24-year-old will sign for the former English Premier League campaigners by 1600 GMT today if negotiations between his club Crystal Palace and Reading end successfully.

Reading are seeking to sign the Ghana hotshot at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations to boost their attacking options even though the winter transfer window closed two months ago.

However, the Royals will be able complete the deal under the emergency loan window in England which closes at 4pm Ghana time today.

The move by the Ghana striker is meant to boost his form, fitness and readiness for the Black Stars for qualifiers for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers later this year.

Appiah hasn’t played for Palace since the start of last season, most recently scoring eight goals in 23 appearances on loan at League Two side Cambridge United.

His last competitive action was at the Africa Cup of Nations when he scored once in four appearances for beaten finalists Ghana.

Appiah impressed at the African Cup of Nations tournament in January, while has been scoring for Palace’s U21 squad in recent weeks.

It could prove to a good move for Appiah, who was on loan at Cambridge United earlier this season and a move to the Championship would be the next level of development.

The 24-year-old Ghanain striker has been flitting around the lower leagues since joining London-based Palace in 2012, most recently in a loan spell to Cambridge United, where he scored 6 goals in 19 appearances.

Third tier side Cambridge were seeking to sign the Ghana international on loan again but he opted to extend his contract with Crystal Palace.

“I think Crystal Palace have got plans for me to prove myself at a higher level. At the end of the day, my future at Crystal Palace is the most important thing, so I’ve got the task of proving myself at a higher level,” Appiah said recently.

Appiah is currently with the Ghana national team in France ahead of the friendlies against Mali and Senegal.