Mikel 'very likely' to leave in January, agent confirms

Last time agent John Shittu commented in public about Mikel John Obi's Chelsea future, the odds were 50-50 on whether he'd stay or leave in January. Unsurprisingly, those odds have now increased firm in favor of leaving.

“It's very likely he will leave Chelsea in January. There are many teams interested in the player.”

“In the past we spoke with Inter Milan but now there are a lot of Italian clubs that want him. I will not reveal the names, but there are other Italian teams on his trail. And beware: even in the UK, Spain, Germany and even in China know the value of the player and requested information about him.”

Mikel has been recently linked with Marseille, but their manager, Rudi Garcia has denied those rumors as pure media speculation to sell clicks and papers .

The one, more or less concrete rumor (is that an oxymoron?) that we've heard is that Mikel will not choose to go China, and his agent has now confirmed that, while also reiterating that this is all strictly business without any harsh feelings on either side.

“John does not have problems with his manager. They have normal and professional relationship.”

“He is only 29 years old and he is one of the best football players in the world in that position. It's normal all the top clubs in Europe want him. The salary will be important, commensurate with his value, but the most important thing will be the football project. If everything was based only on the money he would probably go to play in China. But I repeat he can choose from the many clubs, so the project will be crucial on his decision.”

-John Shittu; source: The Sun