Mikel John Obi: not for sale

Nigerian international John Mikel Obi, will not be leaving English Champions too soon.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has refused to sanction the sale of the to United Arab Emirates suitors Al Ain and Al Wahda, the BBC reported today.

The Nigeria international, who started only six league games last season, wants to leave Stamford Bridge after failing to hold down a regular starting place.

The 28-year-old, who has two years left on his contract, has been told he remains part of manager Mourinho’s future plans.

“There’s absolutely no truth to reports linking Mikel with a move to Turkey or any Chinese club for that matter,” a source close to the talks told BBC Sport.

“Only two clubs from the UAE showed strong interest last month but they could not meet his club’s valuation.

“Mikel has a contract with Chelsea until 2017, as things stand he will not be leaving the club this transfer window as speculated.”

Mikel who moved to Chelsea in the summer of 2006 has increasingly become a fringe member of the squad due to the form of Nemanja Matic.

With the emergence of highly-rated midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, the Super Eagle has fallen down the pecking order at the club ahead of the 2015/16 season.

Fenerbahce are reportedly interested in signing Mikel but BBC Sport understands Chelsea will only listen to a US $16.8 million offer.

The Turkish club’s president Aziz Yildirim has told the local media they cannot meet Chelsea’s valuation.

“Chelsea want €15 million and Mikel asked for €5 million a season over four years. We are talking €35 million,” Yildirim told reporters at their Topuk Yayla training ground.

“This definitely is not something we can pursue.”
Mikel has made 339 appearances in all competitions and has won every possible honour

Begovic

The 28 year old keeper penned a four-year contract, and becomes Chelsea’s second signing of the summer following the arrival of Radamel Falcao on a season-long loan.

Begovic said: ‘I am very happy to be joining Chelsea FC. After speaking at length to the manager, I feel like I can develop here and be an important part of this team. I am looking forward to meeting up with the team on Wednesday for the pre-season tour.’

Thibaut Courtois will remain No. 13 with Begovic taking the vacant number No.1 shirt.

Begovic, who stands 6ft 6in, had spent the previous five-and-a-half years with Stoke having joined from his first professional club Portsmouth in early 2010.

Born in the former Yugoslavia, Begovic spent his childhood in Germany and Canada, representing the latter at the Under-20 World Cup before opting to play at senior level for Bosnia-Herzegovina.

He was their first-choice goalkeeper at their World Cup finals debut in Brazil last year, and has accumulated 41 caps so far.