Obi Mikel Finally Opens Up On Transfer War Between Chelsea, Man Utd For His Services

Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel has finally lifted the lid on the transfer war between Chelsea and Manchester United for his services more than a decade ago.

Mikel initially signed for the Red Devils on April 29, 2005, but the midfielder eventually joined Chelsea a year later after they paid £16 million to the Old Trafford outfit and Lyn Olso.

The other actors involved in the case were Lyn director Morgan Andersen, agents Rune Hauge, John Shittu, Daniel Fletcher and Jerome Anderson, managers Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho and Mikel's father, who wanted his son to join United ahead of Chelsea until he was approached by Shittu.

Mikel told The Sun: ''It was surreal, I was at school, but had Chelsea and Manchester United — two of the world’s biggest clubs — trying to sign me. I’ll never forget that second meeting with Sir Alex. I’d signed a deal at United but had to tell him: ‘Sorry, I want to play for Chelsea’.

''He really liked me but I could see how angry and disappointed he was.

''Some things he told me made me think about changing my mind but I was thinking about Jose, too.

''I had these two great managers wanting me and I did not know what to do.

''Fergie told me: ‘Why would you turn down United? It’s the biggest club in the world. You cannot do that. You have to say Yes’.

''As a footballer, you have to make decisions that you live with for the rest of your life.''

Mikel was successful at Chelsea, winning the Champions League and Europa League, two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and two League Cups in his 11 years there.

Igho Kingsley