Chelsea to tie down Ivanovic but may move for new CB

Mark Holmes
Branislav Ivanovic: Set to extend his Chelsea stay

Branislav Ivanovic: Set to extend his Chelsea stay

Chelsea are set to tie down Branislav Ivanovic to a new contract and are reportedly considering offers for Aymen Abdennour and Odion Ighalo.

Ivanovic, who is out of contract in the summer and free to talk to overseas clubs this month, has been linked with Manchester City, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Zenit Saint Petersburg, but Chelsea have now offered the 31-year-old a 12-month extension, according to the Daily Mail.

Ivanovic has made 22 appearances for the Blues so far this season and is said to be keen to remain in west London, where he is settled with his family.

While Ivanovic looks set to stay at Stamford Bridge, Papy Djilobodji could soon join Werder Bremen on loan having failed to nail down a first-team place under either Jose Mourinho or Guus Hiddink.

Chelsea have been watching Aymen Abdennour after renewing their interest in the Valencia centre-back, according to The Times, but they may have to wait for Alex Teixeira until the summer, with Shakhtar Donetsk’s president Rinat Akhmetov apparently refusing to sell the forward this month.

The Daily Star quote a source as saying: “I know Shakhtar well and they will not let this happen in this window.”

Chelsea are also considering a summer move for Watford striker Odion Ighalo, according to the Daily Mirror, but they are said to be considering several short-term options in the meantime, with Alexandre Pato among the players linked.