Middlesbrough are in talks to sign out-of-contract former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel according to The Sun, after the 31-year-old left Chinese Super League side Tianjin Teda earlier this month.

Mikel made 249 Premier League appearances for Chelsea and was part of the team that beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League final in 2012.

So are Middlesbrough taking a risk signing Obi Mickel?

We discuss.....

Gary Hutchinson

“It might look like that, but I’m not so sure.

“He’s only 31 and still able to produce great form.

“He was excellent for many years at Chelsea and his combative style will fit Pulis’ approach perfectly.

“He’s proven too. This could be a great move.”

Jacob Potter

"It’s a huge risk.

"Mikel is likely to be on high wages with Boro when he arrives, and if they don’t win promotion to the Premier League this season, it will be costly.

"He’s past his best, and I’m not sure they even needed another central midfielder for the rest of this season."

Jay Taylor

“Massive risk, it is a signing that is entirely unnecessary.

“Middlesbrough need wide players with a heavy attacking threat.

“Not another player that can do a job defensively in the middle of the pitch, they have plenty of those and adding Mikel would be a farcical decision if you ask me.”