Botafogo Chief Rates Mikel Higher Than Yaya Toure But Ivorian is More Marketable And Popular

Published: May 16, 2020

Brazilian Serie A club Botafogo are in the market for a central midfielder and are in talks with Nigeria legend John Obi Mikel and former Barcelona and Manchester City star Yaya Toure.

Because of the players' wage demands, it is unlikely that Botafogo will sign the two African players as they are both asking for more than the $100,000 monthly wages offered by the club.

The vice president of Finance and Marketing and member of the Botafogo's football management board, Ricardo Rotenberg has suggested that Mikel is currently rated higher than the ageing Toure on the pitch but the Ivorian has more marketability and he's popular with the fans.

"I talked last week with the two players and with their managers, too. Negotiations continue and only the salary part has not yet been settled," Rotenberg said to ESPN Brazil.

"With Yaya we would gain a lot in terms of marketing and with the fans. With Mikel, the gain would be stronger on the pitch."

A Champions League and Europa League winner with Chelsea, Mikel is currently unemployed after terminating his contract with Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor in March due to coronavirus fears.

Igho Kingsley

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