Super Eagles skipper, Mikel Obi, could just be heading to Marseille in January according to multiple reports on Friday.
Mikel, 29, Chelsea’s second longest-serving player behind skipper, John Terry, is in the final year of his four-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
The Nigerian is yet to feature this term following the appointment of Antonio Conte with the club’s hierarchy silent over a new deal.
It is for this reason that the midfielder is weighing his options and could be tempted by a move the French Ligue 1.
According to Goal, Marseille, who were subject to a £32 million takeover by Frank McCourt in October, want to convince the 29-year-old to join their squad in January and have opened formal discussions over a move.
Although OM have fallen on hard times in recent seasons, Mikel could be attracted to the offer of playing for one of France’s biggest clubs.
Additionally, the Ligue 1 outfit can offer the player and his family a good lifestyle in Provence, though his £75,000-a-week salary could be a sticking point.
Fenerbahçe are monitoring the situation but have yet to make a move.
Mikel had admitted that if he did not get an offer from Chelsea by January, he would look to begin talks with other clubs.
“I have one year left [on my contract],” Mikel told Goal.
“When you have a year left as a football player, you have to start planning and start thinking about what’s going to happen at the end of the season.
“Yes, there are going to be rumours, yes, there are going to be conversations between clubs.
“When you have a year left, in January, you are allowed to talk to other clubs and sign a pre-contract or have an agreement so, yes; I will talk to other clubs. You never know what is going to happen.”
The former Lyn Oslo man is expected to lead his country against Algeria on Saturday in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
