 |
|
|
Napoli set for £5m swoop for Mikel
. Nigerian midfielder, John Obi Mikel, could be on his way to Italy’s Serie A as the top football leagues across Europe begin to stir from hibernation
The 26-year-old has attracted interest from Italian club, SC Napoli who have now tabled a £5 million (N1.3 billion) bid for his services.
Napoli are currently managed by the former Chelsea interim manager, Rafa Benitez who is a huge admirer of Mikel.
It is also widely believed that Mikel does not command the confidence of the Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho to play in the heart of the side’s midfield.
Authoritative British newspaper, Metro, reports that Napoli are lining up a bid to prise the Nigerian away from Stamford Bridge.
Mikel, who was recently courted by Turkish giants, Galatasaray, has since declared that he is happy at Chelsea but the Naples club are still confident of doing business in their bid to land the Nigerian.
The Italian giants could offer regular first-team football – something that is in doubt at Chelsea – and that could prove to be the tipping point.
It is also believed that Chelsea are expected to try and bring in another holding player regardless of whether Mikel stays or goes with AS Roma’s Daniele De Rossi a key target.
Mourinho has also hinted through his selections in Chelsea’s pre-season games that Mikel may not be first-choice this season with the “the special one” showing his preference for the 20-year-old Dutch midfielder, Marco Van Ginkel.
With Chelsea expected to reject an initial bid for the Nigerian, Napoli are believed to be willing to spend up to £8 million (about N2.1 billion) to get their man.
©
No comments:
Post a Comment