John Obi Mikel (Lyn – Manchester United – Chelsea) £16 million
This was bizarre because of the saga which preceded the transfer rather than the move itself. In April 2005 Mikel signed a contract with Manchester United but in January 2006 a counter claim was issued by Chelsea stating that they already had an agreement in place to sign the teenager.
Mikel then disappeared for nine days and Lyn chairman Morgan Andersen claimed the Blues had kidnapped the midfielder.
Upon his re-emergence he claimed he was pressured into signing the contract at Old Trafford and Chelsea was his first choice. In July 2006 a settlement was reached where the Blues paid £12 million to Manchester United and £4 million to Lyn.