Mikel Obi could make Stoke City u-turn as wealthy Asian club tempt Chelsea legend with mouthwatering pay

The former Super Eagles skipper may be heading back to Asia a couple of years after leaving China

Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel is close to leaving Stoke City for good just a few weeks after the club triggered a one-year extension in his contract, according to a report by the Stoke Sentinel.

In June, Stoke City announced that the club would keep Mikel Obi for another year following his consistently impressive displays during the just-concluded season.

The classy defensive midfielder was a regular in the Potter’s starting eleven, featuring in 41 of the club’s 46 Championship matches. It seemed to be the next logical step for him to spend another year at the club.

But one or both parties have now made a u-turn in the agreement made, with the retired Super Eagles skipper presently nearing the exit door at Stoke City.

It could lead to a return to Asia for Mikel Obi, with reports in the Middle East suggesting he could sign a big-money deal with Kuwait Sports Club.

The former Lyn Oslo star sealed his legacy at Chelsea by winning the UEFA Champions League, the Europa League, three FA Cup trophies, and two Premier League titles before departing for China in 2017.

After two years in China, he returned to England on a short-term deal with Middlesbrough before joining Trabzonspor on a free transfer in July 2019. Mikel helped the Super Lig side win the Turkish Cup before moving back to England in August 2020 to team up with Stoke City.

But it appears his adventure in Asia is not over, with reigning VIVA Premier League champions Kuwait Sporting Club reportedly interested in luring the 34-year-old back to the world’s most populous continent.

A couple of weeks ago, Mikel Obi was appointed as Nigeria’s youth ambassador by the country’s Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare.