According to reports from London Evening Standard, Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel will consider a transfer to the Chinese Super League this summer; whilst The Sun report that Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham contract includes a £10million buyout fee.
The Nigerian international is now into his tenth campaign at Stamford Bridge and has enjoyed a starting Xi renaissance since Guus Hiddink took the managerial reins from Jose Mourinho in December, involved in all but three of Chelsea’s fixtures with the Dutchman at the helm.
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The west London club are reportedly keen to extend his contract past the end of next season but having always been somewhat of a squad player for the Blues, the 28-year-old is reluctant to rush into a new deal amid heavy transfer interest from the Chinese Super League.
According to LES, at least three Chinese clubs – including Jiangsu Suning and Shanghai SIPG – are keen to acquire Mikel’s services during the summer transfer window and will likely offer him significantly more than his current £70k per week wages at Chelsea.
Meanwhile, The Sun report that Mauricio Pochettino’s contract with Tottenham Hotspur currently includes a £10million buyout fee, agreed in the deal that brought him to White Hart Lane from Southampton at the start of last season.
That news could be of interest to Chelsea and Manchester United, who have both been accredited with interest in appointing the Argentine as their next manager, but the 44-year-old looks set to agree an improved contract with Spurs at the end of the season.
Pochettino has continually impressed during his time in the Premier League, transforming Southampton from relegation-battlers into top six contenders before forging an impressive young and industrious Spurs side that are unexpectedly challenging for the English title.