CSKA continue to pursue Chelsea defender
CSKA are continuing to monitor Chelsea right back Branislav Ivanovic and have made further enquiries into his availability after the good form of Jose Bosingwa this season.
Ivanovic can also play at centre-back and there were reports that he could be heading back to Moscow during the summer with Chelsea linked with a move for Bolton’s Gary Cahill. Whilst Chelsea are still keen to bring the defender to Stamford Bridge in January, and the ongoing good form of Bosingwa, Ivanovic may feel this could be his last season in London with CSKA prepared to offer him a larger pay package to return to Russia.
Ivanovic had previously played for Lokomotiv Moscow before joining Chelsea and is close to 50 international caps for Serbia. CSKA have always been an admirer of the 27 year old and it is hoped, that a deal between Chelsea and Bolton go through, that he would become available during January.
Chelsea will however prefer to keep hold of the defender due to his versatility and would prefer to keep the player tied down until at least the summer of 2012 but much also depends on the contract negotiations of Saloman Kalou, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka, whom, should they fail to sign new deals, will also likely be sold on, leaving Andre Villas Boas’ squad lacking depth.
Although the above three are no way connected with the back four, the sale of at least two of the three of them, and then Ivanovic too, will provide Villas Boas the need to strengthen, however as January has proved on numerous occasions, finding the right players at the right price during that month is a difficult thing to do.
In the meantime CSKA Moscow lie in wait for Ivanovic and shall make their move accordingly.
