West Brom ready late bid to hijack Zenit St Petersburg's deal for Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic

Wanted man: Branislav Ivanovic
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Simon Johnson27 January 2017

West Brom are planning a late bid to beat Zenit St Petersburg to the signing of Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.

The Serbia international has already been offered a two-and-a-half year contract worth around £82,000-a-week to join the Russian club.

Chelsea are prepared to let Ivanovic, who has been at the club for nine years, leave this month now that he has become a peripheral figure under coach Antonio Conte.

Ivanovic has a close bond with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and the multi-billionaire is prepared to let him go abroad on a free transfer as a thank you for his fine service.

But it's a different story if Ivanovic wants to stay in the Premier League and a deal will have to be struck.

West Ham, Everton and Leicester are still considering whether to make a move, but West Brom are readying an offer to take the defender on loan for the rest of the season.

The 32-year-old's family is settled in London and West Brom hope he will be tempted to stay in the UK.

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Ivanovic's deal at Chelsea expires in the the summer and Chelsea won't be offering an extension.

He has started just eight games under Conte this term, most of which were at the start of the season, with Victor Moses preferred at right wing back.

Ivanovic joined Chelsea from Lokomotiv Moscow for £9.8m in January 2008 and has won eight major trophies.

London Football! Stay on top of all the news and gossip from the January window in our transfer section.

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