John Mikel Obi's mother has denied claims that the family have received a ransom demand for the Chelsea midfielder's missing father.

Michael Mikel went missing on Friday, August 12 and has not been seen since.

It was reported that Mikel's father had been kidnapped and the player's agents, SEM Group, had claimed that a ransom demand had been received.

However, Mikel's mother has denied that they have been contacted by the kidnappers and also denied that the kidnappers had told the family where Mr Mikel's car had been left.

"I didn't hear [anything] about him," Mrs Obi told the BBC World Service.

"Up till now we have never heard from the police, we didn't hear from them about how far they have got [in the investigation].

"We feel that is rumour, because if [the alleged kidnappers] were going to say anything, the family would hear first - but the family never has. We will keep waiting for a call."

John Obi Mikel has been included in Chelsea's squad for their Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.