PSG will table an £8m offer for Branislav Ivanovic.
French champions PSG are looking to table an £8m offer for Chelsea’s 29-year-old Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic, according to The Daily Mirror.
The versatile stopper, who can play at both right-back and centre-back, has been earmarked as a possible replacement for Dutchman Gregory van der Wiel, who is heading to Inter Milan.
New PSG manager Laurent Blanc wants to spend £8m on Ivanovic, and will most likely play the versatile stopper as a right-back if van der Wiel’s departure leaves a free spot.
Whether Ivanovic has a role to play in Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea plans is unknown, but the player does have many of the characteristics the incoming Portuguese manager likes his defenders to have.
Ivanovic is extremely physical, and very reliable. His no-nonsense defensive attitude fits Mourinho’s perfect defensive template, unlike the erratic but skilful David Luiz. Mourinho traditionally bases his sides on a fantastic defence, with unambitious fullbacks rarely crossing the halfway line. Although Ivanovic has a decent goalscoring record for a defender, he is by no means an attacking fullback in the mould of Dani Alves or Glenn Johnson, and would suit Mourinho’s style very well.
Barcelona have been linked with a big money move for Luiz on multiple occasions this summer, as they desperately look to strengthen their defence. This may be a more attractive offer for the club than PSG’s deal to sign Ivanovic.
Chelsea could offload one of Luiz or Ivanovic, but would make considerably more money from the sale of Luiz due to his age and his undeniable potential.
Both players featured in nearly 60 matches last season, so were integral parts of the first-team squad. Fans would be disappointed to lose either one however, as both have become favourites at Stamford Bridge, despite their very different style of play.
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