By: Bolaji Oyegunle, London Inter Milan have stepped up their efforts to sign Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel this summer in a deal worth in excess of £10million.
Chelsea are planning a mass clear-out to raise funds for their closed-season transfer targets and Mikel is surplus to requirements.
Inter Milan are keen to improve their squad after a disappointing campaign in Serie A and their president, Erick Thohir, was believed to be at Chelsea’s victory over Paris St Germain on Tuesday to discuss terms. Thohir has also expressed an interest in taking Fernando Torres on loan but Mikel, rather than the beleaguered striker, is the priority.
The Nigeria international has been at the club for eight years having been signed from Lyn Oslo during Jose Mourinho’s first spell.
But Mikel has fallen out of favour since the turn of the year, starting just two League games, and has not been in the starting line-up since the FA Cup fifth-round defeat by Manchester City in February.
The 26-year-old has three years left on his contract but the arrival of Nemanja Matic from Benfica for £25m in January has paved the way for his departure. Holland international Marco van Ginkel is also now back to full fitness after a serious knee injury and the club are keen to sign a fast, dynamic midfielder to take Mikel’s place.
Given Mikel’s age and experience — he has made 308 appearances for the Blues and has eight winners’ medals including the Champions League — Chelsea will not sell on the cheap.
They were originally ordered to pay £16m (£4m to Lyn Oslo and £12m to Manchester United) in compensation in 2006 after United complained that they had an agreement to buy him first. Chelsea later opened legal proceedings against Lyn Oslo but the row was settled out of court.
It means the final sum Chelsea paid was unclear but they will intend to cash in on a player voted runner-up to Yaya Toure as Africa Player of the Year in January.
Galatasaray were close to signing him last summer and could reignite their interest with Chelsea prepared to listen to offers.
The Turks have Mikel’s former Blues team-mate Didier Drogba up front, although his contract runs out at the end of the season.
Drogba’s potential departure on a free transfer would cut the club’s wage bill by a sizeable amount and open up one of the spots available for foreign players. The Turkish Federation allows only 10 players from overseas in a squad and this season Galatasaray utilised the full allocation.
