Nigerian looks like having played his final match for the west Londoners.
Chelsea midfield player John Mikel Obi says that he took advice from former Blues team-mate Didier Drogba about moving to Turkish giants Galatasaray next season, reports the Daily Mail.
The experienced Nigeria international has been at Stamford Bridge for the past seven seasons now, having originally signed for the west London club from Norwegian outfit Lyn Oslo for £16 million in June 2006.
However, it is fair to say that in the intervening seven-year period the holding midfield player has had to endure a stop-start career in the capital, although now Mikel has decided that after 277 matches for Chelsea, including 182 appearances in the Premier League, and just the two goals in that period, it is time to try a new challenge in his career.
And that will be in Istanbul alongside his one-time club-mate from the Bridge, with a deal for Mikel expected to be completed within the next few days.
‘I’m very pleased with Galatasaray’s offer,” Mikel told Turkish newspaper Sabah.
“I asked Drogba for advice and he told me that Istanbul is a fantastic city, that Galatasaray is a huge club and that I have to make the move.
“I have played at Chelsea for a long time and it’s now time for me to leave.
“I’m still only 26 and it’s great to receive an offer from a club (Galatasaray) playing Champions League football and doing well in the competition.
“Talks have reached an advanced level between Chelsea and Galatasaray. Chelsea won’t make the move difficult and regarding my salary there won’t be a problem.
“All that is left is for the clubs to reach an agreement.”
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