Chelsea decided to keep Beşiktaş target Obi John Mikel at the team after failing to sign Paul Pogba from Juventus according to football agent Mesrun İzzet.

İzzet told Turkish sports radio station Radyospor that he had a mandate from Mikel’s agent to hold talks with Beşiktaş on behalf the Nigerian international.

“Mikel wanted to come to Turkey but Chelsea wanted a defensive midfielder as well. When they failed to sign Pogba Jose Mourinho decided to keep hold of his player,” İzzet told Radyospor.

The Fanatik sports newspaper reported that Beşiktaş were in talks with Chelsea over the experienced midfielder last month in an attempt to pull off a loan move.

Beşiktaş were targeting a central midfielder following injuries to Tolgay Arslan and Veli Kavlak who are both out until the turn of the year.

The Black Eagles have established close ties with Chelsea over the past few seasons and approached the Blues for consultation on restructuring the academy and scouting system last season.

Beşiktaş signed Demba Ba from the reigning champions last season and star winger Gökhan Töre was also a former Chelsea player.

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