CAIRO - Zamalek are close to signing former Ghana captain Stephen Appiah, according to football agent Samir Abdul-Tawab. Abdul-Tawab revealed that the 30-year-old midfielder has been offered to the Cairo club via an English agency as he became a free agent after leaving Serie A side Cesena this summer. “Zamalek are willing to have Appiah and he should sign a contract soon,” the Egyptian agent told Filgoal.com. It is believed that Appiah demands a $700,000 signing-on fee to play for the Whites, who already signed Ghana defender Karimu Alhassan and Benin forward Razak Omotoyossi this summer. A few days ago, Appiah revealed to Ghanaian media that he plans to retire from football by next year as he intends to focus on coaching. The former Juventus man has been struggling with a knee injury during the past few years, which saw him spend long spells without a club. Appiah dazzled for Ghana in the 2006 World Cup in Germany, but was forced to miss the South Africa finals last year through injury.