Ex-Ghana captain Stephen Appiah expects to seal a move to Saudi side Al Ettifaq.

Appiah claims the proposed move to the Gulf is being facilitated by his close friend and former Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro.

The 30-year-old refused to negotiate for a new deal after the expiration of his deal with Italian side Cesena.

"Yes, we've gone very far in our negotiations. Cannavaro, who is a very good friend has been playing in that region and knows the terrain well believes it will be a step in the right direction," Appiah.

"There were minor differences but we have smoothen all those issues and hopefully things be sorted out pretty much shortly."

Appiah spent his first eight years abroad in Italy where he played for Udinese, Brescia, Parma and Juventus before heading to Fenerbahce. He spent the last two seasons at Bologna and Cesena in the Serie A.