Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has agreed for Michael Essien to leave the English club this month and Italy could be the next destination for the Ghana international, the player’s agent has revealed.

Even though no Serie A club has made contact with Essien his agent Fabian Piveteau will not rule out a move to the Italian top-flight if an interest is expressed.

The Ghana midfielder spent last season on loan with José Mourinho at Real Madrid, but has managed just three Premier League appearances this term.

The 31-year-old has been omitted from Chelsea’s Champions League squad so far this season.

His agent Fabian Piveteau says Mourinho has agreed for Essien to leave the club and has not ruled out a move to one of Italy’s biggest clubs.

“He will leave Chelsea. He wants to play more, and after talking to Mourinho has made this decision,” Piveteau said.

“Italy? It’s an important league, I can’t exclude it, even if there have been no contacts for the moment.”

Piveteau rejected a return to Essien’s first club Bastia out of hand, admitting that the 52-cap midfielder will only seek to move to a club of similar standing.

He said: “In Ligue 1 he could play only at Paris Saint-Germain or Lyon, but Bastia, FC Sochaux, for them to support the salary of a Chelsea player, it is already impossible.”

Essien joined Chelsea from Lyon in 2005, moving on to claim two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League.