Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel is closing in on a move away from Stamford Bridge.

Former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, who bought Marseille in October, had promised to invest heavily in the January transfer window to help manager Rudi Garcia build a team that could be European champions.

Les Phoceens were ready to rescue Mikel from his Chelsea nightmare in the summer but the player’s reported £3.4m-a-year salary reportedly aborted the move.

Nigerian manager Gernot Rohr has confirmed that the Chelsea midfielder is in advanced negotiations with French club Marseille and a January transfer is very much on the cards. He also confirmed that Chelsea are ready to let him leave on a free transfer.

I saw him in London. He is in advanced discussions with Marseille. Marseille is a serious option for him,” the German told Europe 1

Chinese moneybags Shanghai SIPG reportedly offered Mikel £170,000 per week to move to Asia but Europe 1 believes the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner will move to Stade Velodrome next month as he will be a key player at Marseille.
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