Transfer Centre

Report: John Obi Mikel in talks with Marseille over January switch

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 19 December 2016

Chelsea's second-longest serving player, John Obi Mikel, is reportedly close to sealing a January transfer to French side Marseille.

John Obi Mikel is on the brink of bringing his 11-year spell at Chelsea to an end after moving a big step closer to joining Marseille, according to a report.

The Nigeria international has yet to feature under Antonio Conte in any competition this season and has been angling for a January switch in recent weeks.

Mikel's agent recently claimed that the midfielder is "ready to quit" Stamford Bridge after being frozen out by Conte, which is thought to be down to his decision to represent Nigeria at the Olympic Games in Rio.

A report in The Mirror suggests that the 29-year-old is locked in talks with Marseille over a transfer early next year, with the Ligue 1 side hoping to nab the experienced player on a free transfer despite there still being six months left to run on his current deal.

Mikel, who has made a total of 368 appearances for Chelsea since 2006, is the Blues' second-longest serving player in the current squad behind only John Terry.