Mikel transfer row takes new twist
Thursday, 12 May 2005 13:39Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has cancelled a planned trip Norway as the John Obi Mikel transfer row deepens.
Manchester United thought they had snatched the highly-rated 18-year-old Nigerian midfielder from Chelsea's grasp when they announced his signing almost a fortnight ago.
The news came as a shock to the Stamford Bridge outfit, who believe they already have a deal in place that will see Mikel switch from his current Norwegian club Lyn Oslo.
An increasingly messy saga took a new twist this morning, with Mikel apparently stating his intention to join Chelsea in preference to United.
Lyn Oslo officials insist the deal with United is watertight but Mikel failed to turn up for training as planned this morning and is now believed to be en route to London in the company of agents Jerome Anderson and John Shittu.
The situation has so concerned the Oslo club they have contacted the Norwegian police and the Norwegian Football Association. "We do not know where Jon is," Lyn's sporting director Morgan Anderson said.
"He has been taken away by agents who told us they were working for Chelsea, although Chelsea have not confirmed that with us."
"Manchester United know we have written to Chelsea about this whole saga but we know there is nothing wrong on our part. Everything done is rock solid and legal."
"We have always got on well with Chelsea. They made us an offer for Jon, but it was way off the mark and they only wanted to use middle men all the time."
"Jon wasn't happy with all the agents becoming involved and so we managed to cancel all the arrangements before he signed for Manchester United."
