Valencia in talks to sign Chelsea's Mikel

The Nigeria international midfielder could be heading for La Liga having not played a minute of first-team football for the Blues this season.

Chelsea's out-of-favour midfielder John Obi Mikel is in talks with Valencia over a possible switch to La Liga.

The Nigeria international, who moved to Stamford Bridge in 2006, has not played a single minute of competitive football under Antonio Conte this season.

With Chelsea six points clear at the top of the Premier League and on a 13-match, record-equalling winning sequence, opportunities for his return to the matchday squad appear slim.

Speculation has been rife that Mikel will move on during the January window, with the Spanish club's sporting director, Jesus Garcia Pitarch, confirming Valencia as an interested party.