Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has hinted that he will leave Stamford Bridge next summer on a free transfer.
The Nigerian international is in the final year of his contract at Chelsea and it is understood that there will be no new offer on the table after struggling to break into Antonio Conte's plans this season.
Mikel, who helped Nigeria win bronze in the 2016 Olympics, has insisted that he is "quite relaxed" about his future and could sign a pre-contract with another club in the January transfer window.
"I have one year left [on my contract]," Mikel told Goal.com. "When you have a year left as a football player, you have to start planning and start thinking about what's going to happen at the end of the season. Yes, there are going to be rumours, yes, there are going to be conversations between clubs.
"When you have a year left, in January, you are allowed to talk to other clubs and sign a pre-contract or have an agreement so, yes, I will talk to other clubs because you never know what is going to happen.
"I've been here for a long, long time. I've spent 11 years of my life in this football club, it is my home. This season is the last at the club if my contract ends. I am quite relaxed about it, the future looks good."
Mikel has made 372 appearances for Chelsea since joining from Norwegian side Lyn in 2006.
Matt Law
