Russian millionaire club, Anzhi Makhachkala, have joined the league of top European clubs chasing Chelsea FC midfielder, Mikel Obi for his signature.
Anzhi, whose multi-million dollars deal gave Cameroon superstar Samuel Eto’o Fils, the tag of the richest football player in the world have kept close tabs on Mikel for some time now.
Mikel was not part of the Chelsea squad who jetted out to South East Asia for pre-season training to further fuel speculations in the local media he is on his way out of the EPL side.
It was gathered that besides Turkish champions Galatasaray and free-spending Monaco, Anzhi have returned for the Nigeria midfielder, who is holidaying in Abuja.
A top source who is part of the negotiations to take Mikel to Russia said: “Anzhi have come back for Mikel. They have made the player an offer and he in turn has asked for an improvement. That is the latest on the Mikel situation.”
Galatasaray have been in pole position to land Mikel after they agreed personal terms with him, but they have 13 foreigners on their books and would need to get rid of four of these players to accommodate the Nigeria star.
Meanwhile, another Turkish club Trabzonspor have denied interest in the Chelsea midfield star.
Trabzonspor boss Ibrahim said there was no iota of truth in the news as they have not made such contact or pronouncement.
“There is no such initiative. No contact of such and the report is unfounded,” the Trabzonspor boss said.
From the last deal signed by Mikel in Chelsea last year, he would remain the property of the London club playing at the Stamford Bridge until June 2017.