Chelsea Transfer News: Blues Reportedly Set to Offload John Obi Mikel

Chelsea continue to make waves in the transfer market as the summer moves along, with the latest reports suggesting long-term Blues midfielder John Obi Mikel is on his way out of Stamford Bridge.

The 27-year-old Nigerian midfielder has reportedly been offered to a variety of clubs as Blues boss Jose Mourinho looks to make way for new recruits, per Anthony Chapman in the Express:

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Chelsea have a number of players competing for places in the centre of the pitch, including former Gunners hero Cesc Fabregas, but one man who looks set to leave is Nigeria international Mikel. [...]

Reports in Italy claim he has been offered to a number of Serie A teams including Inter Milan for around £10million.

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Fabregas arrived from Barcelona back in June but Mikel has stated that he does not feel his place in the side is threatened by the Spaniard's arrival, per Jack de Menezes in The Independent:

"I don't have a problem with the signing of Cesc Fabregas. We have played against each other a lot of times. We don't play in the same position anyway."

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However, Mikel is clearly becoming less valued at Stamford Bridge, having made just 11 starting appearances for Chelsea as they came third in the Premier League last season, per WhoScored.com.

The addition of Fabregas to a central midfield which already includes the likes of Nemanja Matic, Willian and Ramires will likely only decrease Mikel's playing time further.

Indeed, as football writer Ed Dove pointed out, the departure of Frank Lampard may have given Mikel more opportunities but Fabregas' arrival puts paid to that idea:

Mikel arrived at Chelsea in 2006 in confused circumstances having initially agreed a deal with Manchester United but has been a stalwart in the Blues midfield ever since, making 206 Premier League appearances.

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However, Mourinho is clearly looking to strengthen in the centre of the park and reports continue to circulate that he may even be looking to add Sami Khedira from Real Madrid, per Simon Cass in the Daily Star. 

This would likely truly spell the end for Mikel at Chelsea and, even if the Khedira move does not happen, Mikel would be well advised to take a move if the opportunity arises.

A club of Inter's stature would continue to provide the player with chances at the highest level of football and he would likely play more games in Serie A.