£7.7m Chelsea midfielder not joining Besiktas – source

Nigerian international midfielder John Obi Mikel has been closely linked with Besiktas according to the Express.

The report claims that Chelsea would accept a £7.7 million bid for the experienced defensive midfielder but the transfer will not go ahead according to BBC African football journalist Oluwashina Okeleji.

Okeleji asked a representative of Mikel if there was any truth to the transfer rumours. Besiktas have not made an offer for Mikel and it is unlikely that he will be joining the Super Lig champions.

Okeleji told Turkish-football.com: “There is no truth whatsoever to the Mikel link, there is nothing to the Besiktas story.”

Galatasaray also recently expressed interest in Mikel but reportedly had a £110k-a-week offer turned down back in January.

Besiktas are targeting an experienced midfielder with a proven track record of top level football as they have booked a place in the Champions League next season after winning the Super Lig title.

The Nigerian international has won the Champions League, Europa League, two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and two League Cups for Chelsea.