Fifa is to investigate claims that in-demand teenage striker John Obi Mikel has received death threats.

The Nigeria international, 18, signed for United in April 2005 but later said he had been forced into doing so and preferred to join Premiersip rivals Chelsea.

There is no suggestion that the death threats came from Chelsea, who are still keen to sign the teenager.

“Inside me I know where I want to go and I think Chelsea is the better place for me to be,” Mikel told BBC Radio Five Live.

Mikel denies receiving threats, although the BBC investigation has elicited confirmation of the existence of the threats from several members of staff at Lyn Oslo.

United insist they have rights to the player and have claimed that he has been forced into saying he wants to join Chelsea.

Fifa is now expected to decide what happens to Mikel.

Lyn Oslo and United have recommended Fifa considers imposing a transfer ban on Chelsea, and bar the club from some competitions if it can be proven that they were involved in Mikel’s decisionj to break his contract with the Norwegian club.

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