Stamford Bridge battler set to make Istanbul switch.
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Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel looks set to complete a move to join Galatasaray after publicly stating that the two sides are in advanced talks and that he is hoping to move to the Istanbul club imminently according to a number of sources including Turkish outlet Sabah.
The 26 year old battler is quoted as saying that he hopes to join his former Blues team-mate Didier Drogba and is looking forward to making the move to the Super Lig champions, stating;
“I’m very pleased with Galatasaray’s offer,” Mikel told Turkish newspaper, Sabah.
“I asked Drogba for advice and he told me that Istanbul is a fantastic city, that Galatasaray is a huge club and that I have to make the move.
“I have played at Chelsea for a long time and it’s now time for me to leave.
“I’m still only 26 and it’s great to receive an offer from a club [Galatasaray] playing Champions League football and doing well in the competition.”
Mikel said, “Talks have reached an advanced level between Chelsea and Galatasaray. Chelsea won’t make the move difficult and regarding my salary there won’t be a problem.
“All that is left is for the clubs to reach an agreement.”
Mikel joined Chelsea from Norwegian side FK Lyn in a deal said to be worth around £21m back in 2006 and has gone to become a pivotal member of the Blues squad, racking up 277 appearances for the West London side. The tough tackling midfielder appears to feel the time is right to move on and has perhaps been led to believe that returning Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is looking to bring in alternative defensive midfield options this summer.
John Obi Mikel has won a host of honours during his seven years at Stamford Bridge, including a Premier League title, four FA Cup triumphs, a Champions League and Europa League winners medal.
Mourinho may look to Michael Essien to take his first choice defensive midfield spot having brought the Chelsea man to Real Madrid on a season long loan spell last season.