Rotenberg: Why Botafogo prefer Mikel over Toure

by Staff Reporter

Sunday May 17, 2020. 13:00

Brazilian club Botafogo have explained why they prefer Nigeria legend John Obi Mikel over Ivorian superstar Yaya Toure.

The Brazilian Serie A giants are looking to beef up their squad with the services of an experienced central midfielder.

Mikel, who is a free agent after leaving Turkish side Trabzonspor two months ago, has been linked with Botafogo having turned 33 last month.

While 37-year-old Toure is currently on the books of Chinese Super League club Qingdao Huanghai.

Ricardo Rotenberg, the Botafogo vice president of Finance and Marketing, explained that they rate Mikel higher than ageing Toure 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.

However, the club official explained that former FC 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.”

The 2020 Brazilian Serie A season has been halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.