Reliable journalist details hold up in West Brom transfer, should be announced today
West Brom should announce the signing of Branislav Ivanovic on a free transfer today (Tuesday) even though he’s already trained with his new team-mates, according to Joseph Masi.
Writing via his personal Twitter account on Monday, the Express & Star journalist reported that there has been a hold up in officially confirming the 36-year-old’s move to The Hawthorns.
It is understood that “admin issues” are the cause of Ivanovic not yet being announced but it does not sound as though there is anything major for fans to worry about.
After watching West Brom lose 3-0 to Leicester in their opening Premier League fixture on Sunday, it’s safe to say that Slaven Bilic could do with upgrading his defensive options.
Ivanovic captained Zenit St Petersburg to the Russian Premier League title while during his spell at Chelsea he won three Premier Leagues and the Champions League.
The former Serbia international has a great deal of experience while the current Baggies centre-backs have fewer than 70 Premier League appearances between them all.
As it stands, Ahmed Hegazi is the most experienced in the top-flight having played 37 times in the season Albion were relegated.
As well as adding experience, Ivanovic adds something much more crucial which the backline is devoid of – leadership.
The 36-year-old has captained Chelsea, Zenit and Serbia in his long illustrious career.
While he probably won’t take the captain’s armband off Jake Livermore, he’ll add a voice to a defence that looked rudderless in the Championship last season and in the defeat to Leicester.
In other West Brom news, Bilic made an admission about Filip Krovinovic’s potential return to The Hawthorns after the defeat to Leicester.
Be sure to follow West Brom News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Baggies and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Phillips.