Australian A-League Melbourne Victory claim they are close to signing Ghana star Michael Essien.

The club have applied to sign the free agent on the guest-marquee rule.

Essien is yet to pass a medical as the club hope he might arrive early enough to play in the FFA Cup quarter final against Bentleigh Greens in late September.

"Melbourne Victory can confirm it has made enquiries about securing former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien as a full season guest marquee player for the 2016/17 season", the club said in a statement on Wednesday night.

"Essien is one of a number of high-profile foreign players the club has investigated during the pre-season, as it looks to bolster its squad for the upcoming campaign."