Mikel saga takes Ferguson to Norway

Alex Ferguson has flown to Norway in an attempt to sort out the John Obi Mikel transfer.

Manchester United thought they had snatched the highly-rated 18-year-old Nigerian midfielder from Chelsea’s grasp when they announced his signing almost a fortnight ago.

The news came as a shock to the Stamford Bridge outfit, who believe they already have a deal in place that will see Mikel switch from his current Norwegian club Lyn Oslo.

An increasingly messy saga took a new twist this morning, with Mikel apparently stating his intention to join Chelsea in preference to United.

While doubt has been cast on the origin of those quotes from sources in Norway, it has now been confirmed that Mikel failed to turn up for training as scheduled this morning, amid further rumour that he could be heading for London and a summit meeting with his prospective employers.

If that proves to be the case, Ferguson faces acute embarrassment when he lands in the Norwegian capital.

The Scot has made a point of trying to attract the best young talent available, hence the arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford in the last two years, and sees Mikel as a potential star of the future.

Clearly, he regards the matter of such importance that he has cancelled scheduled pre-match media engagements for Sunday’s clash with Southampton to make the trip to Scandinavia, accompanied by coach Jimmy Ryan.