Reports: Valencia interested in Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel

Nigerian national team midfielder John Obi Mikel moves the ball during a World Cup preparation friendly match against Greece in Chester, Pennsylvania, on June 3, 2014

Valencia are believed to be interested in a making a move for Chelsea outcast John Obi Mikel this summer, with the Daily Mail claiming that they are readying a bid for the Nigerian midfielder.

Mikel has lost his place at Stamford Bridge recently after finding himself sidelined by the arrival of Nemanja Matic in January, with the Serbian impressing in his role as the anchor to the Chelsea midfield since returning to the club from Benfica.

With Tiago now also set to return to Chelsea on a free transfer from Atletico Madrid, Mikel is facing becoming marginalised even further by Jose Mourinho and the iconic manager has suggested that he would be willing to listen to offers for the long-serving Nigerian as he overhauls his squad ahead of a renewed assault on the Premier League title.

Inter Milan were thought to be leading the chase for Mikel, but Valencia have now emerged as rivals for his signature, as they look to utilise the funds generated from the takeover of the club by Peter Lim to build a squad capable of competing with Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona at the top of La Liga.

Enzo Perez is already believed to be close to joining the club from Benfica for a fee of more than £20million to show Los Che mean business in the transfer market and they have now made enquiries about Mikel, with the hope of wrapping up a deal once the midfielder returns from World Cup duty.