Chelsea midfielder next on Inter Milan’s Premier League wishlist
Published:Inter Milan have been in pursuit of so many Premier League players since new owner Erick Thohir bought the club, it’s a wonder the Indonesian didn’t just buy one of the English top-flight’s teams to quench his thirst.
The Serie A side, who still may miss out on Europa League football next season, are staring down the barrel of a potential third straight season outside of Italy’s top four and looking to rebuild with English-based recruits.
A deal for Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic has already been agreed, while the likes of Fernando Torres, Patrice Evra and Lukas Podolski have all been touted as future Nerazzurri purchases, if all transfer rumours are to be believed.
All those names haven’t seemed to satisfy Thohir’s cravings for Premier League stars though and Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel is the latest name to be added to the D.C. United owner’s shopping list.
The Nigerian anchor man, who has fallen out of favour since Jose Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge, has been a Blue since 2006 but has made just three Premier League starts in 2014.
That low tally is no surprise since his Portuguese manager moved to re-sign Nemanja Matic, another defensive midfielder, in January.
Having slipped behind the Serb in the queue to protect Chelsea’s defence, who are 4/9 to play their part in a win over Cardiff on the final day of the season, a move away from west London looks on the cards for 27-year-old Mikel.
With young Dutch Marco van Ginkel able to cover for Matic and even David Luiz a possibility in the role too, Chelsea can raise some cash for their own summer signings by shipping out the man who succeded Claude Makelele as chief defence-protector.
With their own defence-screener Esteban Cambiasso into his mid 30s, Inter certainly need fresh legs in that department, with Mikel seen as the ideal replacement.
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