
After reports of Galatasaray in pursuit of Chelsea's Jon Obi-Mikel surfaced a few days back, the Nigerian international has expressed his willingness of a possible transfer stating he was very pleased with the Turkish club's offer.
The Nigerian confirmed about the Galatasaray offer as reported by the Turkish newspaper, Sabah "I'm very pleased with Galatasaray's offer," said Mikel as quoted by Sabah.
Obi-Mikel, 26, was bought for 16m eight years ago from Lyn Oslo has four years of contract left and is not on great terms with the current Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who incidentally was the one who had brought the Nigerian to Stanford Bridge in the first place.
Mikel feels that it is time for him to leave and if the clubs have reach an agreement there won't be a problem. "I have played at Chelsea for a long time and it's now time for me to leave. I'm still only 26 and it's great to receive an offer from a club [Galatasaray] playing Champions League football and doing well in the competition."...
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02:12 PM, Jun 20, 2013

Barcelona: Barcelona doctor Ricard Pruna has said Carles Puyol's latest knee operation should not prevent him from being back for pre-season training. The 35-year-old defender's injury nightmare continued as he cut short a holiday in New York to undergo an operation on Wednesday. In May, Spain international said he was considering retirement if the problem did not clear up, and news of another operation was greeted with alarm by Barcelona...

12:55 PM, Jun 20, 2013

Palermo: Former Italy and AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has been appointed Palermo manager with the task of steering the relegated team straight back to Serie A, the club said on Wednesday. The 35-year-old, who won a host of honours including two Champions Leagues and the 2006 World Cup as a player, has signed a one-year contract with an option for a two-year extension. "Palermo has entrusted Gennaro Gattuso with...

12:45 PM, Jun 20, 2013

Manchester: Manchester United boss David Moyes is reportedly set to reignite his interest in Benfica star Nicolas Gaitan, despite reports they are unwilling to sell this summer window. The Argentinian has spent three years in Portugal after moving from Boca Juniors and enjoyed a fine season as Benfica finished as runners-up in the Europa League, Portuguese League and Portuguese Cup. United have held a long-standing interest in Gaitan and A...

12:24 PM, Jun 20, 2013

With Neymar all set to dazzle at the Nou Camp next season, arch-rivals Real Madrid are pulling out all the stops to wrestle back the domestic title from Barcelona and if reports are to be believed, Tottenham Hotspurs most prized asset, 23-year-old Welsh international Gareth Bale, could be unveiled in early July at Santiago Bernabeu along with possible signings of rising Spanish star Isco and Edison Cavani of Napoli. As...

10:57 AM, Jun 20, 2013

Donetsk, Ukraine: Shakhtar Donetsk insist there has been no approach from Liverpool for attacking midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan - but also added that they would be willing to listen to offers. According to Press Association, the 24-year-old has emerged as the Reds' major transfer target this summer and reports have suggested he could be available for 22million. Mkhitaryan set a Ukrainian league record with 25 goals last season and while Shakhtar...

10:50 AM, Jun 20, 2013

Turin: Italian giants Juventus have revived their interest in Manchester City's defender Aleksandar Kolarov. Serie A champions have already discussed a 9 million pounds move for his City teammate Carlos Tevez. Tevez has been a long-term target for the Italian giants, and despite scoring 17 goals for the Premier League runners-up last term questions still remain over his happiness to stay at the club. Kolarov made 32 appearances for City...

09:59 AM, Jun 20, 2013

Madrid: Gonzalo Higuain has agreed personal terms with Arsenal as the club-record 22million deal nears a conclusion, according to a report in mirror.co.uk. Real Madrid striker Higuain is believed to have agreed personal terms in excess of 130,000-a-week as Arsenal prepare to break their transfer record and wage structure. The Spanish giants circulated Higuain's name for transfer last month and gave him the green light to negotiate a move away...

09:50 AM, Jun 20, 2013

Fortaleza, Brazil: Brazil forward Neymar has voiced his support for the protesters who have taken to the streets of Brazil in the last few days to demand less corruption and more spending on health, safety and transport. "I'm Brazilian and I love my country. I have a family and friends who live in Brazil. For that reason, I want a Brazil which is more just, safer, healthier and more honest,"...

08:43 AM, Jun 20, 2013

Recife: Italy coach Cesare Prandelli lamented the physical toll the Confederations Cup schedule and hot Brazilian climate were taking on his players on Wednesday. Prandelli watched his side overcome Japan 4-3 in the best game of the competition so far but complained that his players were exhausted and needed more recovery time between matches. "This is an interesting tournament but perhaps there should be more rest days," Prandelli said. "This...

08:32 AM, Jun 20, 2013

Recife, Brazil: Substitute Sebastian Giovinco tapped in a late goal to secure Italy a thrilling 4-3 win over Japan on Wednesday and a semi-final berth in the Confederations Cup. Giovinco slotted home the winner in the 86th minute after latching onto a cross in the area, capping a pulsating contest that saw the Azzurri edge ahead with three consecutive goals after trailing 2-0 before halftime. Shinji Okazaki nodded a lovely,...

06:53 AM, Jun 20, 2013

Fortaleza: Neymar made the difference for Brazil again on Wednesday, scoring in the ninth minute and making one for Jo to give the hosts a 2-0 win over Mexico and virtually secure a spot in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup. The Brazilian striker scored his second goal of the tournament with a left-footed volley from just inside the penalty box after Mexican defenders failed to clear a cross. Mexico...

03:02 AM, Jun 20, 2013

Brazil: Police are clashing with protesters trying to get near the stadium where Brazil will play Mexico in the Confederations Cup on Wednesday and at least four police officers and a demonstrator have been injured. Riot police used gas bombs and pepper spray to keep protesters from advancing past a barrier some 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) away from the Arena Castelao in the northeastern city of Fortaleza. A police car...

11:08 PM, Jun 19, 2013

Recife: Brazil will benefit with more than just new soccer stadiums from hosting the 2014 World Cup, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said as unrest in the country continued to overshadow the Confederations Cup. "In football, the whole country gets the legacy," Blatter said in an interview with Rio's O Globo newspaper. "Football involves the whole country. The country improves airports, hotels, highways, telecommunications, sustainability programs." The eight-team Confederations Cup, the...

10:34 PM, Jun 19, 2013

IBNLive Sports gives you Wednesday's's round-up of all the latest transfer news and gossip from the leading clubs and top players around the world. Manchester United favourite to sign Barcelona's Thiago English Premier League champions Man United are reportedly the front-runners to sign highly rated Spanish international Thiago Alcantara according to news Spain and England. Read more Amid Chelsea interest, Alonso's contract talks on hold at Real Chelsea have reportedly...

07:59 PM, Jun 19, 2013

London: Liverpool took a huge financial hit on Andy Carroll on Wednesday by selling the towering England striker to fellow Premier League side West Ham, ending his disappointing 2 -year spell at Anfield. Carroll joined Liverpool from Newcastle on deadline day in January 2011 for a staggering 35 million pounds (then $56 million), making him Britain's most expensive footballer, but he struggled under the weight of expectation and didn't fit...

07:48 PM, Jun 19, 2013

Barcelona: Barcelona defender Carles Puyol has successfully undergone surgery to treat a painful swelling in his right knee. Doctor Ricard Pruna, who was in charge of the operation, says the 35-year-old club captain's cyst was extracted Wednesday in a 35-minute routine operation. The surgeon says his objective was to have Puyol "training alongside the rest of the squad by July 15 or 16." Puyol has had six operations while at...

06:28 PM, Jun 19, 2013

Berlin: Bayern Munich are expecting to attract around 25,000 fans to watch their newly-appointed coach Pep Guardiola's first two training sessions at the club. Bayern, who completed the treble in 2012-13 by winning the Champions League, Budesliga title and German Cup, switched from their usual Saebener Strasse training complex to Allianz Arena to allow more fans to watch the former Barcelona coach in action for the first time. Guardiola is...

05:36 PM, Jun 19, 2013

Madrid: Barcelona face a delicate balancing act to convince sought-after Spain Under-21 playmaker Thiago Alcantara that his long-term future lies with the club and he can play a leading role with the La Liga champions next season. The 22-year-old Barca academy graduate, whose contract runs until June 2015, is being groomed as the successor to Xavi in central midfield but is said to be frustrated at a lack of playing...

05:29 PM, Jun 19, 2013

Spain international Xabi Alonso is yet to extend his contract at Real Madrid. Chelsea have reportedly shown their interest in Alonso, who will be out of contract at the Bernabeu at the end of next season. The reports in the Spanish media claim that Real management had a talk with Alonso and his representative which didn't bring any result. While StarSport still understands that Alonso will stay at Real, Marca...

05:11 PM, Jun 19, 2013