John Obi Mikel sheds light on controversial Chelsea-Manchester United transfer saga

Former Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel has shed further light on his failed move to Manchester United in 2006.

In a recent interview with Dubai Eye, the former Super Eagles captain revealed that Chelsea were already taking care of him and his family when he signed for Manchester United.

Back in 2005, Mikel was a highly-rated youngster at Norwegian side Lyn with United tracking him following a spectacular U20 World Cup in the Netherlands, where he was only second to legendary Argentine Lionel Messi, and later unveiling the Nigerian, having purportedly signed him from Lyn Oslo, in a deal worth £4 million.

However, Chelsea promptly revealed that they already had an agreement with Mikel and his representatives, with Lyn Oslo denying it before news later emerged that the club did have an agreement in place with Chelsea.

“I signed a pre-contract with Manchester United,” Mikel told Dubaieye.

“But before that, I was living in Norway and playing for Lyn Oslo and it was Chelsea that actually sent me to Lyn Oslo. Nobody knew that I was there and Chelsea were taking care of me and my family, giving me bits here and there, and they were paying my school fees.

“I had my trials with Manchester United before I went to Chelsea. Ferguson loved me, the players loved me. Roy Keane was my biggest fan, he told the gaffer to sign me. He was my protector in training, whenever Paul Scholes tackled me hard, he always stood up for me.

“Then they heard that I had gone to Chelsea and Chelsea had taken me to Norway. Then Fergie flew to Norway and handed me a pre-contract. He said he was willing to match anything that Chelsea was offering me at the time. I was just 17, and I was star-struck because it was Fergie. So I signed the contract, then the whole thing went viral.

“Then Chelsea came in. They were waiting for me to turn 18 before giving me a professional contract. Nonetheless, I eventually signed for them and I have no regrets.”

Mikel’s decision to snub Man United did yield fruits as he left Stamford Bridge as a champions with eleven trophies to his name. The 35-year-old retired from football in September 2022.