Ricardo Rotenberg, the Botafago vice-president of Finance and Marketing has explained the Brazilian club preference for former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi over Ivorian superstar Yaya Toure.
Mikel has been linked with a move to Botafago after leaving Turkish Super Lig outfit Trabzonspor two months ago.
Aside, Botafago, another Brazilian Serie A, Internacional are interested in signing the the 33-year-old.
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Rotenberg disclosed that officials of the club rate Mikel higher than Toure, who is already 37 and could offer little on the pitch.
“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 told ESPN Brazil.
He however acknowledged that former Barcelona and Manchester City star Toure is more marketable and he is popular with the fans.
“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.”
