Chelsea Breaking: Ivanovic Touches Down In Russia, Deal With Zenit St Petersburg Soon To Be Announced
Jan 31, 2017 at 8:02 PM
Bransilav Ivanovic is the only player in Antonio Conte’s squad to not travel to Liverpool for the Premier League clash as he finalised a deal in Russia.
He has been spotted in Russia to finalise a deal that would see him join Zenit St Petersburg in a shock Deadline Day move.
The only Chelsea who didn’t travel to Liverpool: Branislav Ivanovic. He landed in Russia & will join Zenit. (pic: via @RusFootballNews) #CFC pic.twitter.com/AyNfYtrLjZ
— Kristof Terreur ? (@HLNinEngeland) January 31, 2017
After being a key member of the Chelsea set-up since arriving in 2008, the new style of play has seen players such as Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso thrive, with Ivanovic demoted to a bench role.
Ivanovic will link up with Zenit during their winter training camp in Spain to put the finishing touches to his move to the Russian club.
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte confirmed at his media briefing on Monday that Ivanovic was talking to another club about a move away from Stamford Bridge before the transfer window closes on Tuesday.
Ivanovic, who is one of Chelsea’s longest-serving players after joining from Lokomotiv Moscow in January 2008, is out of contract at Stamford Bridge this summer and Chelsea have decided to let him leave early for free as a reward for his service to the club.
Serbia international Ivanovic has lost his spot in Antonio Conte’s side after the Italian switched to a 3-4-3 formation but he scored in what looks like his final appearance for the club in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Brentford in the FA Cup.
The 32-year-old has agreed a two-and-a-half year contract with an option for a further year at Zenit.