Mikel, 28, joined Chelsea in 2006 and has won a lot of silverware at the club, including the 2009/10 league title, the Uefa Champions League in 2001/12, the Europa Cup in 2012/13 and four FA Cups. Last summer, Mikel was the subject of several transfer bids from European clubs after being regarded as surplus to requirements by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho but he decided not to accept any offer.
Among the clubs said to have been interested in Mikel's services at the time were Monaco of France and Juventus and Inter Milan in Italy. Mikel still has a contract until June 2016 with the English Premier League champions but over the past two seasons he has played a very marginal role at the club.
Al Ain, who also has Ghanaian skipper Asamoah Gyan on its books, now have to agree a transfer fee with Chelsea for the deal to become sealed. Mikel was in Dubai to discuss contract terms with Al Ain this past week and if the two sides can agree a deal, he can move immediately.
Football agent Babawo Mohammed, said: “Mikel has agreed personal terms with Al Ain and it is now left for Chelsea and the Dubai club to agree on a transfer fee. He has returned to England to communicate all these to Chelsea, so we just have to wait and see what Chelsea says in this regard.”
Earlier this week, it was reported that Mikel was close to joining Turkish outfit Fernebahce, but it seems that the Istanbul club's hopes have been scuppered by interest from Al Ain. Dropped from the latest Super Eagles squad, Mikel needs to start playing regularly again to revive his career.
