Top Ten Most Controversial Transfers In History : Mikel's Manchester United To Chelsea Move Listed

American cable sports channel ESPN has published the top ten most controversial transfers in the history of football with former Nigeria captain cracking the list at number ten.

Mikel could have been the first Nigerian-born player to play for Manchester United having inked a four-year contract in January 2005 only for the deal to fall through after Chelsea claimed they had an agreement with the player too.

Manchester United first expressed an interest in the signature of the midfielder after he impressed their scouts at the UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup in Egypt, and he was invited to train at Carrington before the 2003 FIFA U17 World Cup.

Lyn Oslo and the Red Devils had to report Chelsea, Norwegian agent Rune Hauge and John Shittu to FIFA, and the imbroglio was resolved after Chelsea agreed to pay United 12 million pounds for the services of Mikel.

The 33-year-old eventually spent ten and a half years at Stamford Bridge, winning two Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and a host of other honours.

The top nine most controversial transfers are as follows :

1) Mo Johnston, Nantes to Rangers
2) Luis Figo, Barcelona to Real Madrid
3) Sol Campbell, Tottenham to Arsenal
4) Roberto Baggio, Fiorentina to Juventus
5) Johan Cruyff, Ajax to Feyenoord
6) Ashley Cole, Arsenal to Chelsea
7) Robin van Persie, Arsenal to Manchester United
8) John Robertson, Nottingham Forest to Derby County
9) Carlos Tevez, Man United to Manchester City


Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com