Norwich City have been linked with Middlesbrough midfielder John Obi Mikel.
Some Norwich City fans have taken to Twitter to comment on the speculation suggesting the Canaries and fellow Premier League new-boys Sheffield United are in talks to sign Middlesbrough’s John Obi Mikel.
Nigerian publication Sport247 claims Mikel could be offered a route back to the Premier League with Norwich after missing out on promotion with Middlesbrough following their seventh-place finish.
The former Chelsea man spent two years in China as he enjoyed a short spell in the Chinese Super League, but he seemingly missed English football and came back in January to join Middlesbrough on a short-term deal.
Boro’s failed promotion attempt means Mikel is now expected to leave the Riverside Stadium. But Norwich fans aren’t convinced he is likely to end up at Carrow Road, suggesting it goes against their transfer policy.
Norwich’s promotion success was built on savvy recruitment and the introduction of academy stars.
Players such as Teemu Pukki, Emiliano Buenida, Onel Hernandez, Marco Stiepermann and Moritz Leitner were all relatively unknown players who Norwich signed on the cheap to great success.
Norwich sporting director Stuart Webber has already hinted to Sky Sports how the Canaries will follow the same transfer plan. He claims the Norfolk club will have the lowest transfer and wage budget in the top-flight.
The signing of Mikel, therefore, doesn’t exactly fit in with the club’s supposed transfer plans nor the team’s fast, high-pressing style of play implemented by German manager Daniel Farke.
At 32, the Nigeria international may still have a year or two to offer but his likely wage demands could be a major stumbling block for potential suitors.
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