Chelsea midfielder Mikel John Obi has rejected a £100 000 pay rise to move to a Chinese side in favor of joining a European club in the coming January transfer window.
According to the Daily Sport, Mikel received an offer from Shanghai SIPG, who are interested in re-uniting him with Chelsea team mate Oscar who is joining the side this January for £60 million.
The out of favor midfielder who hasn’t played a competitive game for the London side this season is considering rejecting a huge pay rise in the Chinese Super League to join a club in Europe.
The Nigerian Captain would have earned up to £170 000 a week if he moved to China which is £100 000 more than his current wages at Chelsea.
The Daily Standard also suggested that the midfielder might be having second thoughts about the move because of his family. Mikel has two young twin daughters who might be a deciding factor on his decision.
According to their sources, Mikel has allowed to take a pay cut to the £ 70 000 a week pay he gets at Chelsea to join French side Marseille to stay in Europe.
Nigeria head Coach Gernot Rohr confirmed over the weekend French side Merseille ties but current developments clear the doubts of a move possibility.
The midfielder is thinking about staying in Europe to play in a competitive league to better himself and to also add to his medal collection, rather than boost his earnings in a weaker competition.
While the French League might dull in comparison to the English Premier League, it offers both Europa and Champions league possibilities, which present a chance to compete with the world’s best.
Marseille, who last won the French title in 2009-10 can’t be counted out of the French race despite currently sitting sixth on the table.
He however also still has offers from Turkey, England, Italy and Spain.
Nigeria Captain Obi hasn’t featured for Chelsea this season. (Photo from Chelsea FC)
