Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel accepted an offer from Beşiktaş over the summer but club president Fikret Orman revealed that he blocked the move at the last minute.
Orman stated that Beşiktaş made Mikel an offer worth £3.5 million and that the Nigerian international agreed terms on the transfer window deadline.
“Mikel called us on the last day to say he accepted our offer but we had to weigh up Veli Kavlak returning in one-and-a-half months with paying out £3.5 million for Mikel so we pulled out of the deal,” Orman was quoted as saying by Radyospor.
Orman’s statement contrasts with football agent Mesrin İzzet who claimed that it was Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho who vetoed the move at the last minute.
“Beşiktaş had initially agreed terms with Chelsea and Mikel but Jose Mourinho blocked the deal at the last minute,” İzzet told Radyospor.
The Nigerian international could however, be permitted to leave in January in pursuit of first team football in Turkey.
“Mikel could join Beşiktaş in January in-fact it would not be a surprise as he wants to play in Turkey and wants first team football,” he added.
İzzet told the Turkish sports radio that he had a mandate from Mikel’s agent to hold talks with the Black Eagles on behalf of the 28-year-old midfielder.
The experienced midfielder still has another two-years left on his contract at Chelsea but has only played six minutes of domestic league football this season.
The Istanbul giants failed to land a central midfielder to fill in for Tolgay Arslan and Veli Kavlak both who are not expected back from injury for a few months.
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