Chelsea pay United £12m to end row over Mikel

Manchester United last night accepted a £12m settlement to pave the way for John Obi Mikel to become a Chelsea player after the rival clubs reached an agreement over his future.

Both clubs, along with Mikel's current side, Lyn Oslo, worked together to allow the 19-year-old Nigerian midfielder to join Chelsea after a bitter transfer dispute.

Chelsea will pay United £12m and Lyn £4m. Chelsea will pay half of both amounts now and half in 12 months' time. United thought they had secured Mikel from Oslo after he signed a pre-contract agreement in April 2005. But Mikel subsequently claimed he had been pressured into signing the deal and wanted to join Chelsea instead. Following last night's agreement, Mikel's registration will now be transferred from Lyn to Chelsea as soon as possible while United have agreed to terminate their option agreement with him.

A Chelsea statement read: "As a result of this settlement all claims in this matter, which Chelsea were never an official party to, are now withdrawn. The payments do not in any way imply the acceptance of any such claims and have been made solely so that Mikel can resume his career.

"United will support Chelsea in any work permit application if necessary. All parties have agreed that there will be no further comment on the settlement or any of the allegations or claims."

Roberto Carlos revealed yesterday that his first choice is to stay with Real Madrid, even though he is considering a three-year contract offer from Chelsea.

Talks about a new deal with the Spanish side have stalled. Real are only prepared to offer him a one-year extension with the option of another year.

"I have a contract with Real Madrid, but also I must look for the best thing for me," the left-back said. "The offer from Chelsea is worth much more, although right now my preoccupation is to play two more years at the highest level. Real Madrid is my first option, but the offers I have are very good."

Jose Mourinho will change his system next season to accommodate both Andrei Shevchenko and Didier Drogba. The Chelsea manager has based much of his Premiership success on a 4-3-3 formation using wingers such as Damien Duff and Arjen Robben alongside a lone striker.

"A lot of people were speaking about Andrei to come and Didier Drogba to go but that was never, never, never the idea," Mourinho said. "They are two strikers with very different qualities. Andrei is one of the best players in the world in the last decade and I think the Chelsea players will receive him with open arms."

The arrival of Salomon Kalou could also pave the way for further departures with Carlton Cole almost certain to join Tottenham Hotspur soon as he is reluctant to spend another season on the bench.