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Monday 2 May 2016

Mikel impresses Conte, snubs Turkish giants

Mikel Obi
Chelsea are reportedly set to offer Super Eagles  captain Mikel Obi a  new  contract after winning  incoming Blues manager Antonio Conte’s heart with his recent performances for the Premier League giants.
Conte, who will take the reins at Stamford Bridge on a three-year deal after coaching Italy at Euro 2016 in France between June 10 and July 10,  reportedly held  a number of individual talks with the players, including Mikel.
Mikel, who was restricted to  cameo appearances from the bench with  Jose Mourinho preferring Serbian Nemanja Matic playing the holding role, has posted a  string of solid performances to tie down   a starting position under caretaker manager Guus Hiddink.
Reports on Sunday said the South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner, who  has been at Chelsea for 10 years and has a year left on his deal, would extend his contract to remain at Stamford Bridge in the summer.
According to Fanatik, Turkish Super Lig powerhouses Galatasaray and Fenerbahce have  revived their interest in the former Lyn Oslo player, who snubbed a £110,000-a-week deal to dump Chelsea for either of the Istanbul outfits during the January transfer window.
However, The Sun reported that Mikel, who has also been linked  with a move to  Monaco and clubs in Asia,  would reject lucrative offers  from both clubs during the summer transfer window to stay  at the  London side.
Meanwhile,  the 29-year-old midfielder will be out to prove  his worth to Conte  that he deserves  to retain starting role for the Premier League holders.
According to reports,  Roma hard-tackling midfielder Radja Nainggolan is set to become Conte’s first signing at Chelsea.
Nainggolan  earned widespread plaudits for his creativity and tenacity, and  the 29-year-old is said to top the list of the players Conte wants to build his team around.

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