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Chelsea’s €35m demand stalls Mikel’s Fenerbahce deal

Published

9 years ago

July 12, 2015

In from Nifemi Daniel…
The transfer move of Super Eagles midfielder John Obi Mikel may have hit the snag as English club Chelsea has placed a 35 million euros price tag on the 28-year-old who is being sought after by Turkish giant, Fenerbahce.
The Super Eagles star was expected to leave Chelsea during the current transfer window after nine years at the club, however according to the Turkish club’s president Aziz Yıldırım, the Blues have placed a €35 million price tag on the midfielder, which appears to have put off last season’s Turkish league runners-up.
“Chelsea want €35 million for Mikel,” Yildirim was quoted as saying by TurkishFootball.com.
Fenerbahce have been busy conducting some impressive transfer business this summer, signing Simon Kjaer from Lille and Manchester United players, Nani and Robin van Persie.
And it had been expected that Mikel would become the third player to swap the Premier League for the Turkish Super Lig, as Fenerbahce look to replace the outgoing Emre Belozoglu.

However, the 19-time Turkish league champions now look certain to turn their attentions elsewhere.
Mikel, who joined Chelsea in controversial circumstances from Lyn Oslo in 2006, last season largely deputised for Nemanja Matic in Chelsea’s central midfield, but still made 18 Premier League appearances as the Blues won their fourth Premier League title and their first since the 2009/2010 campaign.
According to reports in England, Chelsea are only likely to allow Mikel to depart should they sign a replacement, and they have been linked with a surprise move for Chile international Charles Aranguiz.

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