Sky Sports reporter claims major West Brom transfer could be done before clash v Leicester
Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett has claimed that West Brom could sign ex Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic before Sunday’s opening Premier League game against Leicester.
Previously, Championat journalist Andrey Pankov had reported that the Baggies were negotiating a potential move for the free-agent to move to the Hawthorns.
Ivanovic is available on a free transfer having left Zenit St Petersburg when his deal expired this summer.
In a tweet, Dorsett claims a deal between Ivanovic and the Baggies is ‘close’, and says that Slaven Bilic ‘values his experience’.
The potential transfer of three-time Premier League winner and Champions League winner Ivanovic has come as a surprise to some West Brom fans, with some fans claiming that the 36 year old isn’t fit enough to play in the Premier League, and that his wages will be too much for the club.
Ivanovic has won all three domestic trophies in England, winning the Premier League and the FA Cup three times, and the Carabao Cup once, the most recent of those being Chelsea’s 2016/17 Premier League.
Ivanovic can bring a wealth of experience to Slaven Bilic’s side, having played at a high standard for Zenit St Petersburg since 2016, winning two Russian Premier League’s and one Russian Cup.
The Baggies could do with a right back with Darnell Furlong the only recognised right back in the first-team squad, and the addition of Ivanovic on a free transfer would have little impact on West Brom’s transfer kitty.
Slaven Bilic is still looking at bringing in a striker, with his preference of Karlan Grant reportedly costing £16 million.
The Baggies will value a free transfer as it leaves money to pursue other, more expensive targets.
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