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Former Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel has confirmed to ESPN that he is in discussions with Brazilian club Botafogo with a view to joining them after the coronavirus pandemic is over. A decision is still some way from being reached, though, with Mikel saying: "Yes there has been interest and yes there has been negotiations. "But I don't know yet. I am still thinking about it. Not sure yet." Mikel, 32, left Turkish club Trabzonspor by mutual consent in February after declaring that he did not feel comfortable playing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the circumstances of his disengagement from Turkey, the Nigerian was not expected to be without a club for long and it has taken very little time for the offers to come in. Botafogo, in the market for a midfielder, turned their attentions to the former Chelsea man after failing to land Yaya Toure, with reports saying the deal hit a roadblock because the Ivorien's wife did not want to live in Brazil. Mikel is reported to be in regular contact with Botafogo boss Ricardo Rotenberg. A 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner, Mikel led Nigeria to a third place finish at the tournament in 2019 before announcing his international retirement. He also represented Nigeria at two World Cup tournaments.
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