The 26-year-old Mikel has spent eight fruitful seasons with the Blues winning nine major honours including the Champions League in the 2011-12 season. However, he has fallen down the pecking order under Mourinho this season, who brought him to Chelsea in the first place in 2006.

The former Real Madrid manager has a host of options in Mikel’s positions especially since the re-capture of the impressive Nemanja Matic from Benfica last January. The Nigerian is also behind Lampard, Ramires and Luiz in the pecking order, likely making his position at the club untenable.

According to Football Direct News, the midfielder looks set for the exit doors this summer after failing to force his way into Mourinho’s first-team plans. A host of European clubs are interested in securing his services, most notably Inter Milan.

Inter coach Walter Mazzarri has earmarked a move for Mikel in the summer to add more defensive stability to the team who are languishing in fifth position in Serie A this season.