Chelsea's Mikel John Obi could reunite with Andre Villas-Boas at Shanghai SIPG as he considers approach

Free to leave: Chelsea won't renew Mikel's current deal
AFP/Getty Images
Simon Johnson7 December 2016

Mikel John Obi is considering leaving Chelsea for Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG in January.

Standard Sport understands that Shanghai have already made an inquiry to Mikel’s representatives and the midfielder is now giving it some thought.

As this paper revealed last month, the Nigeria international has been told he won’t be offered an extension to his contract at the end of the season.

It means Mikel is free to talk in January to foreign clubs about a free transfer for the summer but Shanghai want him to join earlier and are willing to pay a nominal fee to fast track the deal. The club are now managed by former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas, who worked with Mikel during his eight-month spell in charge at Stamford Bridge in 2011-12.

Shanghai, who have former Porto star Hulk in their ranks, are prepared to pay Mikel £170,000 a week. That is £100,000 a week more than he is earning at Chelsea. It is believed Mikel has a number of offers from elsewhere, though, including Marseille, plus sides in Turkey and Spain.

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Manchester United have also been linked with a switch for the 29-year-old but no approach has been made as yet. Shanghai are also one of the clubs looking to sign captain John Terry, who is also out of contract next summer.

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