Championship outfit Boro have reportedly turned down John Obi Mikel though Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace are reportedly keen too.
John Obi Mikel is a free agent after leaving Tianjin Teda recently and The Sun (21 January, page 63) reports that he has his heart set on a return to England, two years after he left Chelsea for a money-spinning spell in the Chinese Super League.
But he won’t be joining Middlesbrough any time soon. The Sun reported that Mikel had been considered by the North Eastern outfit though a move to the Riverside is no longer on the cards after manager Tony Pulis turned him down.
Mikel shouldn’t give up hope just yet however.
Because TEAMtalk claimed last week that Crystal Palace would be willing to bring the Nigeria international back to London before the January transfer window slams shut.
Eagles manager Roy Hodgson wants new players this month but a lack of funds is making life difficult. So, with Mikel available on a free transfer, the 31-year-old would be a much-needed low cost addition who could add experience and steel in the centre of the park.
Palace were calamitous at the back in Saturday’s 4-3 defeat to Liverpool so a player with Mikel’s discipline wouldn’t go amiss.
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