Sheffield United reportedly make an offer for former Chelsea midfielder Mikel

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Sheffield United have made an offer to Jon Obi Mikel to boost their midfield ranks ahead of their return to the Premier League.

According to ESPN, the Blades have approached the Nigerian powerhouse, who was reinvented last season at Middlesbrough, having returned to English football from China in January.

Championship winners Norwich are also apparently in the chase for Mikel, with the midfielder expected to take time to weigh up all the offers before making a decision before the African Cup of Nations kicks off next month.

Mikel spent nearly a year out of the Nigeria squad after the World Cup but has recently been recalled and is expected to captain his side next month.

Mikel won two Premier League titles and a Champions League during his time at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea, where he was primarily a defensive midfielder.

But he started his career as a playmaker, which is where he plays for his country as well, and was reborn into that role at Boro as well.

He’s on a free transfer because it was just a short term deal at the Riverside Stadium and would be a decent little coup to add quality and experience to Chris Wilder’s ranks ahead of their return to the top flight for the first time since 2007.