MILAN, June 30 (Reuters) - Italian champions Juventus have agreed a deal to sign Ghanaian midfielder Stephen Appiah from Parma.

Juve said in a statement on Monday that the 22-year-old Appiah, who was on loan at Brescia last season, would be brought in on loan next season for a fee of ?1.38million.

The deal gives Juventus an option to sign the combative midfielder on a permanent basis at an additional cost of ?4.2m.

The two clubs are also tying up formalities on transfers that will take Juve defender Emiliano Moretti and midfielder Manuele Blasi to Parma -- the latter in a loan arrangement.

Appiah made his Serie A debut in 1998 for his first club Udinese and after three seasons in the North East he moved to Parma.

A tough-tackling, all-round midfielder, Appiah won plaudits for his performances last season, which helped Brescia to a comfortable mid-table position.

Juventus have signed Italy international defender Nicola Legrottaglie from Chievo and brought striker Fabrizio Miccoli back from his loan spell at Perugia

I'll Be Happy To Play Juventus - Appiah

30.06.2003 --Parma midfielder Stephen Appiah says he is ready to sign with Juventus. The Ghanaian spent last on-loan with Brescia and told Calciomercato.com, "I don't know anything official, only from what my friends have said.

"I have spoken with my agent, who has spoken with (Juve chief Luciano) Moggi. We will meet on Wednesday.

"I hope everything goes smoothly as I would be very happy to play for Juventus."

Juventus Signs Appiah

29.06.2003 -- There are unconfirmed reports out of Italy that Juventus have acquired Stephen Appiah from their Serie A rivals Parma in exchange for Emiliano Moretti and the one year loan of Manuele Blasi.

The 25-year-old Ghanaian –who had a highly encouraging season on loan for Brescia last year- is seen as something of a diamond in the making and could prove the eventual successor to Edgar Davids.

Parma fans aren't likely to be too enthused with the deal as Moretti is a solid but unspectacular young defender, while Blasi is a gifted midfielder but probably won't be relinquished by Juve come the end of next season as they are always kick to stress that he is part of their long-term plans.

Appiah has also played for Udinese in the past.

Appiah close to Juventus move

28 June -- JUVENTUS are believed to have agreed a fee to sign the national team captain Stephan Appiah from Parma.

The Turin club will pay around ?4.5 million for the Ghanaian, and talks are believed to be at an advanced stage.

Appiah played on loan at Brescia last season and his commanding performances once more brought him great attention from the top clubs.

General manager at Juve, Luciano Moggi, confirmed that the player was a long-term target.

"He is a great player," said Moggi.

"We have followed him for a long-time and we hope the negotiations can be concluded."