Mikel to reject mouth-watering move to China

Nigeria international John Obi Mikel is reportedly ready to reject a mega-money move to China.


The Chelsea midfielder is being heavily linked with leaving Stamford Bridge in January and Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG want him.

Chelsea star Oscar is set to complete a stunning £60m move to Shanghai when the transfer window reopens but Mikel is having second thoughts.

The London Evening Standard claim that he is considering ignoring a lucrative move to the Far East in favour of joining a club in Europe.

Mikel would stand to earn £170,000-a-week in China, a massive £100,000-a-week more than what he is currently on at Chelsea.

But it is claimed that the 29-year-old wants to stay in Europe to play in a more competitive league and add to his lengthy list of honours.

Marseille are known to be interested in the Nigeria international with the Evening Standard reporting that the club’s sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta has already offered him a contract.

Mikel is also having second thoughts over a move to China because of his young family.

He has twin girls and reckons staying in Europe would be the best thing for them.

Mikel could move to a club in on the continent but keep his family in their Surrey home and then fly out to play games like Didier Drogba did when he was at Turkish side Galatasaray.

Mikel, who also has offers from Turkey and Spain, has made over 370 appearances for Chelsea, claiming 11 major honours.

He has failed to make a single appearance for the Premier League leaders this season following Antonio Conte’s appointment as Blues boss over the summer.