John Obi Mikel has revealed that he could quit the club in summer, Chelsea scouting two new midfielders
It looks like there is going to be a lot of shuffling in Chelsea midfield in the summer. Club veteran John Obi Mikel has revealed that he could quit the club in the summer transfer window. The Nigeria international has one year left on his contract with the Blues, but he is not sure whether he will be signing a new contract.
The 28-year old had been reduced to a fringe role at the club before the arrival of Guus Hiddink. Following the arrival of Hiddink, Mikel has featured in the Blues’ starting eleven on a regular basis. However, it remains to be seen whether he features in the plans of the new manager.
He told Goal.com: “I have one more season with Chelsea, but I know when this season ends, we will definitely sit down and try to sort out whatever needs to be sorted out. If it means me leaving, fine. If it means me staying, then I have to play because one thing I don’t want to do is to sit on the bench like I did before.”
Mikel joined the club in 2006, when he was 19, and has won every possible trophy during his time with the club. He has made 242 league appearances for Chelsea and after John Terry, he is the longest-serving player at the club.
Meanwhile, rumours linking AS Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan with a move to Stamford Bridge are refusing to die down. It has been reported that Chelsea’s future-manager Antonio Conte is a big fan of the Belgian midfielder and wants him to join the Blues in the summer.
London Evening Standard reports that the 27-year old is one of the primary summer targets of the West London club. However, Nainggolan has four years left on his current contract with Roma and will not cheap. The Capital club value their prized asset at £35million. Serie A rivals Juventus are also interested in the destructive midfielder.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are fighting it out with Tottenham and Man Utd for the signature of Bournemouth winger Matt Ritchie, according to the latest report. The Scottish midfielder has impressed with his form for the Cherries this season and according to the Sun, all three Premier League clubs are interested in his services.
According to the report, all three clubs have scouted the 26-year old this season. Ritchie, who has scored three goals and provided six assists in the league this season, arrived at Bournemouth in a £400,000 deal from Swindon three years ago.