Middlesbrough midfielder John Mikel Obi could be on his way out of the Riverside Stadium this summer after just six months.

Though the former Chelsea man is yet to finalize anything concerning his future, as he told  BBC Radio Tees that: "I don't know, you can never say never..." when asked about his chances of staying with the EFL Championship club.

This means that there's still a possibility to see Mikel at Middlesbrough next season if the club are ready and willing to negotiate a new and improved deal with him.

However, there are some factors the Super Eagles legend must consider before reaching a final decision over his future, and these factors are extensively discussed below:

The Extreme Love From Middlesbrough Fans

Mikel was fans favorite throughout the recently concluded season as result of his fine display.

The Boro faithfuls appreciated the fact that they have a Champions League winner as one of their players and they were eager to make him feel comfortable during his early days at the club.

As much as Mikel's mission is to win more titles, he should consider the love he has enjoyed from Middlesbrough fans and should treat them accordingly.

Fitness Level To Constantly Feature In Top-flight Football

Mikel might need to join one of Europe's elite club if he must add to his trophy collections next season. But he needs to consider his fitness level before making any move as that will play a significant role in his quest for regular game-time.

He must know whether he has all it takes to withstand the physical-demanding nature of the Premier League.

The former Tianjin Teda man must equally consider if he has the strength to stand his ground against deadly, young and pacy strikers and midfielders in the German Bundesliga or Spanish League.