Gala set to ignite Turkish war over Mikel
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Festus Abu
Galatasaray are keen on beating Turkish Super League rivals Besiktas to the services of Chelsea defensive midfielder Mikel Obi in the January transfer window.
The 28-year-old Super Eagles midfielder has made just nine appearances for the struggling Premier League champions this season.
Mikel has been forced to play second fiddle to Nemanja Matic following the Serbia star’s impressive performances since he rejoined Chelsea for a fee of £21m on a five-and-a-half-year contract in the January 2014 transfer window.
The South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner was linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge last summer – with Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Fenerbahce and Besiktas said to be interested in his services. But the former Lyn Oslo star was reportedly persuaded by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho to remain at the London outfit, assuring him of game time.
Besiktas have resurrected their interest in the player after missing out on him in the summer.
Speaking to Fanatik recently, Besiktas President Fikret Orman confirmed the 112-year-old Black Eagles might rekindle their interest in January.
“If (manager) Senol Gunes had given the go- ahead, we were going to sign (Mikel) and we could enter the race again over the winter break,” he said.
But reports on Tuesday claimed struggling Galatasaray had made Mikel their top transfer target in January to shore up the defence to boost their fortunes in the second half of the season.
Galatasaray, who are third in the league table, lost 2-1 to Besiktas at Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul on Monday. They are planning to make contact with Chelsea in the coming days to try and agree a fee believed to be in the region of £5.7m for Mikel, according to www.takvim.com.tr.
Mikel’s current deal with the Blues runs until 2017 but the club are unlikely to offer him a new one.
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