Mikel used to play alongside Villa coach John Terry and Derby boss Frank Lampard at Premier League club Chelsea.
Aston Villa and Derby County have a second chance to try and sign a player they reportedly went for earlier this year as veteran midfielder John Obi Mikel’s release from Middlesbrough was confirmed on Thursday.
The Nigeria international joined Boro on a short-term deal in the January transfer window following a spell at Chinese club Tianjin TEDA and made 18 appearances in the Championship, including six with the captain’s armband (Transfermarkt).
However, it was reported by The Sun (January 23, page 51) that the Teesside club was not the only Championship side in the running to land Mikel, as fellow promotion hopefuls Villa and Derby were also thought to be interested.
Mikel enjoyed a fruitful spell at Chelsea and both Midlands sides currently have two of his former teammates in the dugout – John Terry as Villa’s assistant manager and Frank Lampard as Rams boss.
Middlesbrough’s statement about the 32-year-old, which also covered the futures of Stewart Downing, Dimi Konstantopoulos and Andy Lonergan, read: “The quartet are all out of contract and have not yet been offered new deals to stay on.”
With an extensive medal collection for club and country which includes the Champions League and Africa Cup of Nations, plus 372 Chelsea appearances and 85 Nigeria caps, Mikel would undoubtedly be an asset for Villa, who have just returned to the Premier League, and Derby, who will try again to achieve promotion to the top flight next term.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
