Joel Obi will likely ply his trade in Spain with LaLiga outfit Celta Vigo despite interest from other teams around Europe notably Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon, Owngoalnigeria.com understands.
Obi has been told he can leave Serie A side Torino this summer as he is not in the first team plans of coach Walter Mazzari , who is keen on using proceeds from his sale to strengthen other areas of the team.
Sporting Lisbon were the initial favourite to land the 26 year old but the current crisis rocking the team has worked in favour of Celta who are now ahead of the likes of Espanyol, Benfica and Crystal Palace in the race to sign the midfielder.
A fee in the region of €5m should be enough to sign him but with one year left to run on his deal, Celta Vigo will be looking for a fee less than Torino’s valuation of the player who has been with them for three seasons.
Since joining Torino on a permanent transfer he has scored 7 goals from 62 games with last season as his most productive in terms of goals and games played and it played a role in his making the Nigerian team to the World Cup.
Daniel Martins
