Mikel Lands N82.6m-A-Week Deal In China

Mikel John Obi has done a U-turn and decided to leave Chelsea for Chinese Super League club Tianjin TEDA.

According to Standard Sport of London,  the Nigeria international is undergoing a medical today (Thursday), but no complications are expected and the move should go through.

Mikel, who has been at Chelsea since 2006, has been offered a three-year contract worth £140,000-a-week (about N82.6m) to become the latest player to swap Europe for the riches of Asia’s emerging football market.

The 29-year-old had been hesitant to move to China as he wanted to still play in a competitive league in Europe and was unsure about moving his family to the Far East.

Mikel had talks with Valencia and Marseille, while Inter Milan were also monitoring the situation.

However, none of the clubs could match his wage demands and the offer from Tianjin TEDA has proved too good to turn down.

Antonio Conte, Chelsea boss, has not included the midfielder in his plans this season, with Mikel out of the first-team picture and behind N’Golo Kante, Nemanja Matic, Cesc Fabregas and Nathaniel Chalobah in the pecking order.

He has continued to train with the rest of the squad but a return to action at Stamford Bridge, where he has spent 11 years, has long-looked unlikely.

Tianjin, who count former Sporting Lisbon midfielder Fredy Montero and ex-CSKA Moscow forward Wagner among their stars, are now offering a way out.

Daily Mail also reported that a three-year deal is understood to have been offered to Mikel.

Terms are yet to be finalised but the move is far enough along for a medical check to be undertaken ahead of the potential transfer.

Mikel is primed to leave Chelsea having won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League in his time in west London.

He played in pre-season with Chelsea last summer but then left the squad to win an Olympic bronze medal with Nigeria in Rio and has not found a way back into Conte’s plans since.

Last week Valencia sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch revealed he had met with Mikel to discuss a move to La Liga.

‘In the case of Obi Mikel, with Chelsea’s permission, I met with him in London on Christmas Day,’ he said.

‘I informed him of the option [of joining Valencia]. He said he would think about it.’