JOHN OBI MIKEL, the Nigerian youngster at the centre of a bitter transfer wrangle between Chelsea and Manchester United, was at Stamford Bridge last night with a resolution imminent in the 13-month dispute that has brought relations between the two clubs to a new low. Chelsea are close to settling a substantial compensation package that will free the Nigeria midfield player to tear up his contract with United and complete his move to West London.

The terms of the settlement have yet to be finalised, but it is understood that Chelsea may end up paying Lyn Oslo, the Norwegian club, more than £10 million for the 19-year-old, with at least half of that sum going to United as compensation for the midfield player’s decision to renege on his contract with them. That decision prompted United to write to Fifa, football’s governing body, to demand sanctions against both Chelsea and the player’s agent, John Shittu.

United announced a deal to sign Mikel in April last year, but it soon became clear that Chelsea, who thought they had an agreement in place with his representatives, were not going to concede defeat. They encouraged Mikel to take his case to Fifa, claiming that he had been “bullied” into signing for United, and, although Fifa have yet to announce the results of their investigation, Chelsea expect to announce in the next 48 hours that the deal is complete.

The news comes as another blow to United’s hopes of breaking Chelsea’s stranglehold on English football, but, unlike their previous frustrations in being beaten to the signatures of players such as Arjen Robben, this deal at least includes a consolation in the form of a substantial transfer fee for a teenager who never kicked a ball for the club. The funds should assist them in their pursuit of Mahamadou Diarra, the Lyons midfield player, while Sir Alex Ferguson may also look to step up his interest in Franck Ribery, the France winger, after the Marseilles chairman, Pape Diouf, confirmed yesterday that he had fielded an enquiry from United for the 23-year-old.

There is also the feeling at Old Trafford that, following the harrowing events of the 13 months since they agreed to sign him from Lyn, Mikel may resemble “damaged goods”. Mikel has claimed he received death threats soon after signing his contract with United and, although he impressed for Nigeria in the Fifa World Youth Championships and the African Cup of Nations, his career has effectively been in limbo since last summer.

The fleeting glimpses of him over the past year, however, have hinted at a talent that justifies the lengths Chelsea and United went to for his services. Now he must show Chelsea that he was worth the wait — and the trouble.

The long road to Stamford Bridge

April 29, 2005: United announce they have secured a deal to sign Mikel from Lyn Oslo once he has qualified for a work permit.

May 10: Mikel is assigned a bodyguard amid allegations he has received death threats.

May 11: Mikel goes missing in Norway. Lyn claim he has been “kidnapped”, but the youngster is found in a nearby wood with his agent, John Shittu.

May 12: Sir Alex Ferguson books a flight to Oslo but learns Mikel is already in London with Shittu. Mikel says he has been “bullied” into joining United.

May 18: United and Lyn submit formal complaint to Fifa about the conduct of Shittu and Chelsea.

July 11: The Times reveals United are resigned to losing Mikel to Chelsea.

August 12: Fifa announces Mikel must return to Lyn while they continue their investigation. He does so in September.

Oct 3: Ferguson claims “the manner in which he [Mikel] and his family have been treated and pressurised is, quite frankly, disgusting.”

Nov 30: Mikel walks out on Lyn again.

Feb 4, 2006: Mikel’s lawyers announce that, contrary to Ferguson’s claims, their client wants to join United, not Chelsea.

Feb 10: Peter Kenyon, the Chelsea chief executive, urges United to resolve the issue.

June 1: Agreement between all parties imminent, with United to receive undisclosed sum in compensation.

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