Ghana captain Stephen Appiah is being linked with a surprise return to Juventus in the winter transfer window.

The 26-year-old midfielder left Turin for Turkish giants Fenerbahce in 2005 for a fee of around £5m after two seasons in the Bianconeri jersey.

Juve are currently on the hunt for midfield options as Tiago Mendes and Sergio Almiron continue to struggle to settle at the Stadio Olimpico.

Appiah is under contract at the Sukuru Saracoglu Stadium until June 2009, but it has been suggested that he could use FIFA Article 17 to quit Istanbul.

This rule states that players can unilaterally cancel a contract after a “protracted period” if a compensation package, based on their salary, is paid to their club.

It is believed that discussions are at an early stage, but Appiah is said to be keen to return to the peninsula as soon as January.