The Chelsea defender looks set for a move to Zenit St Petersburg despite interest from Everton and West Ham United.
Everton and West Ham United’s deliberation has seen Zenit St Petersburg close in on a deal for Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, according to the Daily Mail.
Both Premier League clubs were linked with moves for Ivanovic, however, it appears as though neither reached a stage where they were prepared to make a firm approach – despite the Daily Mail’s claim the 32-year-old can leave Stamford Bridge for nothing this month.
And according to Russian-based Sport Express, Ivanovic has now agreed a two-and-a-half-year deal worth a £80,000-a-week with Zenit.
Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic has barely featured this season
It could be the case that, despite the lack of transfer fee involved, neither Everton nor West Ham saw fit to match those demands for a player who is already well into his thirties and has visibly declined over the past two campaigns.
And it remains to be seen whether either club will seek alternatives before next Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
Everton remain are short of senior options beyond first-choice right-back Seamus Coleman and could also see their centre-half numbers reduced by Phil Jagielka’s departure, with a number of sides said to be keen.
Everton’s Phil Jagielka could leave the club according to manager Ronald Koeman
While West Ham, who bolstered their own central defensive options with Southampton captain Jose Fonte last week, are seemingly unconvinced by the displays of Sam Byram and Alvaro Arbeloa, to whom winger Michail Antonio has often been preferred this season.
Should Everton/West Ham have tried harder for Ivanovic?
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