Mikel eyes return to English Premier league after terminating his contract with Tianjin Teda

SUPER Eagles skipper Mikel Obi could be on his way back to Europe later this month after he agreed to terminate his contract with Chinese League side Tianjin Teda where he has plied his trade for the last two years.

Mikel, 31, is Nigeria's most well decorated and well recognised player, having spent 10 and a half years at Chelsea where he won the Uefa Champions League and Premiership title among other laurels. In 2017, he opted to Move to China but earlier this week, he decided to terminate his contract with Tianjin Teda and return to Europe so he can be closer with his family.

With the African Cup of Nations now due in the summer, Mikel is currently searching for a new club as he bid to stay fit. About a year ago, Everton were keen on signing him and with Mikel now a free agent, numerous English Premiership sides are expected to be in the hunt for his services.

Apart from moving to England, Mikel may opt for a move to the Middle East where he has been linked with several clubs in Qatar. Saudi Arabian clubside Al Nassr, which signed team mate Ahmed Musa last year, have also expressed an interest in Mikel in the past but talks between the two parties did not lead to a conclusive deal being struck.

Still highly rated, Mikel won 16 trophies during his stay at Chelsea after joining from Lyn of Oslo in Norway, after a protracted transfer battle which involved Manchester United claiming to have signed him. Last season he was injured for most part of the campaign but still made 18 appearances with two goals to his name despite operating as a deep lying playmaker and sometimes as a central defender.