Chelsea Midfield Star Wants Move to Inter Milan – Report

Italian giants Inter Milan have shown interest in Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, according to Italian reports.

Since joining Chelsea, the Nigerian International has helped the Blues to the Premier League title in the 2009/10 season as well as four FA Cup victories, the League Cup, the Champions League and most recently the Europa League last term.

However, his performances have been littered with inconsistency and questions have been raised over his suitability to Chelsea's midfield.

La Gazzeta dello Sport believes the midfielder wants a change of scenery to test his skills in a new league and Inter Milan are keen on offering him that challenge. The Nerazzurri squad are looking for a holding midfielder and consider the Nigerian the ideal player to support Hernanes and Freddy Guarin.

Mikel has a contract until June 2017 at Chelsea and is valued at €15m, although his €4m salary could prove to be a problem.

With the arrival of Nemanja Matic in January the midfielder has lost his place in the Stamford Bridge line-up and it seems that Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is already looking for another quality player to strengthen the midfield. The Portuguese wants to find a replacement for Mikel and The Blues appear ready to cash in on the 26-year-old, who has spent seven years at the club.

Despite making 300 appearances for The Blues since joining the club from Lyn Oslo in 2006, the Nigerian has failed to make a significant impact in west London. Indeed this season he has just started nine Premier League games, scoring one goal and grabbing one assist.