Branislav Ivanovic ‘ready for the challenge' and has plenty to offer after West Brom sign veteran former Chelsea defender
The Baggies lost their first game back in the top flight
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Your support makes all the difference.Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic says he has plenty to offer West Bromwich Albion after the 36-year-old free agent joined the promoted Premier League side on a season-long deal.
Ivanovic made more than 350 appearances for Chelsea and won nine major titles with the London club before leaving for Russian side Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2017.
He returns to England's top flight as Slaven Bilic's sixth signing since West Brom's promotion, following the arrivals of Grady Diangana, Matheus Pereira, Cedric Kipre, David Button and Callum Robinson.
"I'm so happy to be back," Ivanovic told West Brom's website.
"I know Slaven from before. He's amazing and I hope together we're going to be a success. He understands football and looks like a guy who everyone wants to play for.
"I missed English football ... I looked to be back in the previous year but it didn't happen, so now I'm happy to be here and I'll try and do my best. I can give something more. I'm completely different... I'm ready for the challenge."
Ivanovic's arrival is a boost for West Brom, who conceded three goals without reply in a Premier League defeat by Leicester City on Sunday.
They host Harrogate Town in the League Cup later on Wednesday before travelling to Everton in the league on Saturday.
Reuters
ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS ROUND-UP
Latest Arsenal transfer news as Gunners battle Spurs for Ivorian star
The Gunners remain active in the transfer window after a fine start to the Premier League season
BALOGUN COPIES AUBAMEYANG POST
Folarin Balogun has posted an hourglass emoji on Twitter, directly copying Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s tweet earlier this afternoon.
Aubameyang’s post seemed to be a strong hint earlier reports of his imminent contract extension were accurate.
The intention of Balogun’s post is less clear. The Daily Mail claim Sheffield United saw a bid of £3 million for the forward rejected, with Arsenal’s asking price closer to £15 million.
Balogun’s current contract expires in June 2021.
BALOGUN NUMBERS
£15 million seems like an ambitious valuation of a teenager who has no experience of senior football and is available on a pre-contract from January, but Folarin Balogun’s numbers are extraordinary.
He scored 10 goals in 15 appearances in the Premier League 2 last season, as per Transfermarkt, and 25 in 19 the season before at under-18 level.
Earlier the Daily Mail reported Sheffield United had seen a bid of an initial £3 million rejected for the 19-year-old forward.
RUNARSSON OVER RAYA
Arsenal look likely to replace Emiliano Martinez with Icelandic goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson.
And the Evening Standard suggest the confirmed sale of Ollie Watkins and likely sale of Said Benrahma meant Brentford were in a healthy position to reject bids for David Raya, another rumoured Arsenal target.
Runarsson is reportedly available for just £1.5 million so would certainly be cheaper to acquire than Raya.
BALOGUN BID REJECTED
Arsenal have a rejected an initial £3 million bid from Sheffield United for teenage sensation Folarin Balogun, according to the Daily Mail.
The Gunners asked for a potential fee of £15 million, including performance-related bonuses, despite Balogun having less than a year to run on his contract.
Sheffield United were reportedly shocked by Balogun’s lofty price tag.
Chris Wilder has admitted he is looking to sign a striker, and the club has held talks with Liverpool over a possible move for Rhian Brewster.
CROOKS PRAISES WILLIAN STEAL
BBC Sport pundit and ex-Tottenham player Garth Crooks has branded Chelsea’s handling of Willian as “madness”.
“I said last season that Chelsea could not afford to lose him," Crooks wrote, after selecting Willian in his team of the week. “To let him go to Arsenal, of all teams, was madness and could cost them dear in the final analysis."
Willian assisted two goals on his Arsenal debut as Mikel Arteta’s side ran out comfortable winners over newly promoted Fulham.
HOMEGROWN ISSUES FOR ARSENAL
FourFourTwo claim Arsenal may struggle to fund moves for Thomas Partey or Houssem Aouar through player sales.
They point out that Arsenal need to meet quotas for homegrown players in their registered squad, which they are only just meeting.
Many of the players who have been linked with a transfer away from The Emirates - Hector Bellerin, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Rob Holding - would exacerbate the problem if sold.
ORNSTEIN ON AUBAMEYANG
The Athletic’s David Ornstein has said it will be “not long now” before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s three-year contract with Arsenal is announced.
The 31-year-old will become Arsenal’s highest-paid player.
OLIVER TO REFEREE AGAINST HAMMERS
Michael Oliver will take charge of Arsenal’s next Premier League game, against West Ham on Saturday.
Chris Kavanagh will be in control of VAR.
GREALISH PERSUADED BY NEW SIGNINGS
Jack Grealish has signed a five-year contract at Aston Villa.
And it appears new signings, including the imminent arrival of Emiliano Martinez, were key in persuading the talismanic midfielder to stay.
“The owners made it very clear to me how ambitious they are and how they want to build Aston Villa,” Grealish said. “There are exciting times ahead.”
Villa chief executive Christian Purslow added: “We are determined to build a top team around him.”
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