Euro player in London with big decision on horizon after West Brom table offer – report
West Brom have made a better offer for free agent Branislav Ivanovic than Fulham, according to Serbian news broadcaster B92.
Ex-Chelsea defender Ivanovic, 36, is available on a free transfer after being released by Zenit St Petersburg at the end of last season, in which he captained his side to the Russian Premier League title.
B92 now reports that the former Serbia international is in London ahead of making a decision on his next move amid interest from West Brom, Fulham and Everton.
It is understood that Ivanovic would like to stay in London but is not impressed by what Fulham have offered him.
West Brom have reportedly offered a better deal than the Cottagers but the idea of joining up with former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti at Everton is appealing.
B92 adds that Ivanovic is not rushing into a decision on his future but with the Premier League set to kick off this weekend, Albion might want a bit more urgency from their transfer target.
Telegraph journalist John Percy – who gets very little wrong on the Baggies – has reported that Ivanovic could become a new arrival at The Hawthorns within the next couple of days and sign a season-long contract.
But the news emerging from Serbia suggests the deal is anything but close.
Slaven Bilic has lost a lot of experience from his squad since the end of last season and Ivanovic, who won three Premier League titles and a Champions League with Chelsea, has that in abundance, as well as the leadership characteristics the defence could do with.
However, Bilic has a well-stocked defence as it is.
Ivanovic can play at right-back and centre-back but Bilic has Dara O’Shea and Darnell Furlong at right-back while Semi Ajayi, Kyle Bartley, Ahmed Hegazi and new signing Cedric Kipre are the four centre-backs.
If Ivanovic arrives, would someone be moved on by the Baggies in a bid to boost their transfer budget?
With Bilic yet to sign a new striker, West Brom could be looking at ways to raise funds and signing Ivanovic for free and selling someone on for a transfer fee could help in that area.
In other West Brom news, Darren Moore has won the race to sign this Baggies forward.
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