Inter Milan may have to break the bank to see through the transfer of John Obi Mikel from Chelsea.
AfricanFootball.com reports that the move to sign the 2013 African Cup of Nations (Afcon)-winning midfielder may have fallen through, with the Italian club owner adamant to equal Mikel’s £3m-a-year wage at the Stamford Bridge outfit.
Inter president Erik Thohir will need to table a bumper offer to convince Chelsea to sell the Nigeria international, valued at £12m.
The Serie A giants would also have to convince Mikel to reduce his salary, having being reported to have offered to pay the defensive midfielder £1.8m.
Galatasaray are considered alternative suitors interested in the Nigerian, who joined Chelsea from Lyn Oslo in 2006.