Chelsea transfer news: John Obi Mikel TURNS DOWN mega-money switch to Chinese Super League to sign for Valencia
The Nigerian midfielder was widely expected to be the next big name to move to the Far East, but he is heading for Spain instead
CHELSEA midfielder John Obi Mikel is on the verge of signing for Valencia.
The Nigerian midfielder was widely expected to be the next big name to move to the Chinese Super League.
Mikel would have benfitted from a sizeable wage, certainly more than he currently earns at Chelsea if he moved to the Far East - but instead he's heading to Spain.
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Valencia have beaten a whole host of clubs vying for his signature. Chinese outfit Shanghai SIPG, French outfit Marseille as well as both Inter and AC Milan were sniffing around, reports .
Mikel will sign a four-year deal with the La Liga side, after Chelsea agreed to let him leave Stamford Bridge six months before his contract expires in the summer on a free.
The 29-year-old has been with Chelsea for 11 seasons, but has barely featured under new boss Antonio Conte.
The summer signing of N'Golo Kante meant the anchor midfield position was gone, and now Mikel has realised his first-team chances lie elsewheere.
Mikel, whose contract runs out in June, arrived in London in 2006 and has played 376 games for Chelsea, scoring six goals.
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