Chelsea are considering suing Manchester United for the £12 million they received in payment for John Obi Mikel after issuing a £16 million High Court writ yesterday against Lyn Oslo and Morgan Andersen, their former chief executive, as The Times revealed they were planning to do in February. Chelsea accept that the Norwegian club are in no position to return the Nigeria midfield player’s full transfer value and are likely to accept a much lower settlement out of court, but that would not stop them pursuing United for the remainder of the transfer fee.

Chelsea’s action springs from the conviction of Andersen for fraud in an Oslo district court earlier this year, a verdict that effectively nullified the complex transfer agreement between the three clubs over Mikel. Andersen was found guilty of forging a contract between Lyn and Mikel, which formed the basis of his lucrative sale to United in 2005 that Chelsea agreed to buy out the next year, as well as filing a false police claim against the player’s agent, John Shittu. The court found that Mikel did not have a valid contract with Lyn and, as a result, the club had no right to profit from his sale, enabling Chelsea to seek recompense.

Chelsea held several discussions with Lyn officials in London this week and are confident of reaching a settlement, although they chose to underpin their claim by issuing a writ in the High Court. The club have not ruled out going after United, as their rivals made £12 million out of selling on a player who was on their books only as a result of a forged contract.

“Chelsea Football Club has issued a claim at the High Court in relation to the transfer of John Obi Mikel in June 2006,” a Chelsea statement read. “The claim is against FC Lyn Oslo and Morgan Andersen and follows the criminal conviction in Norway of Lyn’s former chief executive officer Morgan Andersen. It is for the entire £16 million fee paid by Chelsea for the player as it is now clear following Andersen’s conviction that the transfer was based on the fraudulent misrepresentation that Mikel had an employment contract with Lyn.

“At the time of the transfer, Chelsea, Lyn and Manchester United agreed the fees paid would be in final settlement of the transfer, any claims related to it and that no further action or comment regarding the transfer would be made. Chelsea has written to Lyn to make clear that because the transfer was based on a fraudulent misrepresentation, now proven by a court of law, the settlement previously agreed is not binding.

“Chelsea is in contact with Lyn and looks forward to working positively to resolve the claim. Chelsea would like to make clear this legal action is against Lyn and Morgan Andersen.”

The club are wary of reopening the wounds of a bitter transfer dispute 3½ years ago, when Mikel disappeared amid allegations of kidnapping, intimidation and fraud, but feel obliged to pursue it on a matter of principle.

With Chelsea’s statement declaring the confidentially agreement void, more details could emerge of one of the most complex transfer wrangles in Premier League history.

A tangled path

2005: April 22 Joins Lyn Oslo on a youth contract.

April 29 Signs professional forms with United, with a transfer agreed for January 2006. Chelsea insist they also have an agreement.

May 13 Mikel claims he wishes to join Chelsea and that he was forced to agree terms with United. United ask Premier League to investigate.

May 18 United and Lyn Oslo report Chelsea and John Shittu and Rune Hauge, the agents, to Fifa.

August 12 Fifa orders Mikel to report back to Lyn.

2006: January 30 United call for Fifa to ban Chelsea from transfer dealings if they are found guilty.

Chelsea disappointed that United’s letter leaked to the media.

June 2 Chelsea agree to sign Mikel for a combined fee of £16 million, with £12 million going to United and £4 million to Lyn Oslo.