Telegraph: West Ham shortlist Chelsea title winner, deal could happen in January

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Published on:

07 Nov 2016, 4:36 pm

By Tony Hughes

West Ham have shortlisted Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic as a target in the January transfer window, according to a report.

The Telegraph claims Hammers manager Slaven Bilic is keen to land the right-back as he aims to strengthen his team's back line.

It is said that West Ham are looking to prise Ivanovic from Stamford Bridge and take advantage of his contract status.

The Serbia international will have only six months remaining on his deal in January and could leave after dropping down the pecking order under Antonio Conte.

He has lost his place in the side after the Chelsea manager reverted to a 3-4-3 formation that accommodates summer arrivals David Luiz and Marcos Alonso.

It is has been reported that Ivanovic, 32, is keen to remain in the capital and has given a lukewarm response to interest from Inter Milan.

There has been some interest in him from the Chinese Super League but that is an option that he isn't keen on taking up.

The Chinese certainly have the money to make a move attractive but he has four children who are settled in London and he isn’t keen on uprooting them.

Ivanovic has won eight major trophies since moving to Stamford Bridge for £9.7million from Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow in 2008.

He has won the league title twice during that time, under Carlo Ancelotti in 2010 and Jose Mourinho in 2015.

In other West Ham transfer news, Karren Brady has described Andy Carroll in two words after his gunpoint drama.

Chelsea FC

West Ham United

Branislav Ivanovic

Slaven Bilic