Reports at home and abroad claiming Nigeria international and Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has agreed in principle to join Galatasaray are wide of the mark, says highly respected journalist Colin Udoh .

Colin Udoh, who is close to Mikel and his agent John Shittu said on Twitter: ''Just got a call from Mikel re Galatasaray. Says he is aware of the interest, but has not agreed anything yet: 'Nothing like that.''

To put in another way, Galatasaray will have to break their piggy bank if they are to lure the former Lyn Oslo ace to Istanbul.

''When I spoke to Shittu (Mikel's manager) last week, he told me its up to Chelsea. But only if Gala stumped up some stupid money,'' adds Colin Udoh.

Obi Mikel, who has spent the last seven years at Chelsea, is rated around 23 million euros by transfer market experts.