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 TO BUILD AROUND AOUAR
Mikel Arteta is intent on building his Arsenal side around £55 million target Houssem Aouar, report ESPN.
Arsenal are in the market for a creative midfielder, and are keen to raise funds through the sale of Lucas Torreira.
Chance creation was a major issue last season, with Mesut Ozil Arsenal’s second most prolific player - despite featuring in less than half of the Gunners’ games.
Arsenal must reportedly fend off interest from Juventus, Real Madrid and Manchester City for Aouar.
ESPN claim they have already failed in a cash-plus-player bid for the 22-year-old involving Matteo Guendouzi.
Aouar shone as Lyon reached the Champions League semi-final in Lisbon, notching four assists in eight games along the way.
RUNARSSON HAS MEDICAL
Runar Alex Runarsson reportedly underwent a medical yesterday ahead of completing a £1.5 million move to Arsenal.
Icelandic tabloid DV claim Runarsson will sign a five-year deal and replace Emiliano Martinez as back-up to Bernd Leno.
Arsenal goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana worked with Dijon stopper Runarsson at his former club Nordsjaelland.
Runarsson did not feature in Dijon’s matchday squad for their 2-0 loss to Brest last weekend.
RUNARSSON DEAL A BARGAIN
Arsenal have reportedly done a deal for Dijon goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson worth just £1.5m according to TalkSPORT.
It’s a deal that would open up significant funds for the Gunners to go after Mikel Arteta’s most likely targets, Thomas Partey and Houssem Aouar.
Current Arsenal No. 2, Emi Martinez, is heading to Aston Villa for £20m and a surplus on the Runarsson deal would chip away at the £45m asking price for Partey.
Lucas Torreira's rumoured move could be made permenant with a sale reportedly going to earn Arsenal another £21m.
In 2018, Dijon's chief scout, Sebastien Larcier, said of Runarsson: “When we discovered his profile, the interest was immediately strong.
“He is technically talented, he is not afraid to play high and has very good footwork.
“In addition, he has the temperament and charisma.”
ATLETICO MADRID NOT BUDGING ON PARTEY
Arsenal are keen on bring the 27-year-old to the Emirates this summer but the asking price to trigger his release clause stands at £45m.
It’s a price the Gunners are struggling to meet after already spending £27m on Gabriel Magalhaes this transfer window.
Mikel Arteta reportedly wants Thomas Partey at the club and is willing to let Lucas Torreira go out on loan to create room in the squad with a move to Italy rumoured for the Uruguayan.
The 24-year-old spent his entire career in Serie A before moving to the Premier League and according to the Daily Star Fiorentina and Torino are both interested in the midfielder.
ARSENAL JOIN MOVE TO BRING EL SHAARAWY BACK TO EUROPE
Stephan El Shaarawy is set to move back to Europe from Shanghai Greenland Shenhua, reports Gianluca Di Marzio.
The former AC Milan and Roma star is just 27 and looking to secure a loan move to January, motivated by logistics surrounding the necessary quarantine period due to Covid-19.
Italy play in October and November, so a loan deal will suit everybody involved, and Arsenal are in the race alongside: Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
ARSENAL OPEN TO TORREIRA LOAN
Fabrizio Romano has echoed reports Lucas Torreira may leave Arsenal on loan in the next few weeks.
He reports interest in the Uruguayan from Fiorentina and Torino, and suggests Arsenal would be open to selling Torreira in order to free up space for a new midfielder.
Arsenal are interested in Thomas Partey but are yet to achieve a breakthrough in negotiations.
NOT QUITE...
As internet whispers abound about a secretive photoshoot spotted at the Emirates, club photographer Stuart MacFarlane provides hungry fans with the snap they’ve been desperate for.
ARSENAL’S CHARITABLE TARGET
Arsenal are reportedly looking at Dijon’s Runar Alex Runarsson as a cut-price replacement for Emiliano Martinez.
Runarsson comes recommended by Inaki Cana, Arsenal’s goalkeeping coach, who worked with the 25-year-old at Nordsjaelland.
Cana must have been satisfied with Runarsson’s character, and the Iceland international seems a charitable soul.
He is one of just 160 male and female players and managers from across the sport to have signed up to Juan Mata’s Common Goal initiative.
The charity asks footballers to pledge at least one percent of their earnings to a collective fund supporting football-related charities globally.
KOLASINAC MOVE QUASHED
David Ornstein reported that West Ham were looking into signing Sead Kolasinac this morning, but Nick Ames of The Guardian has said it’s unlikely the transfer will take place.
Ames tweeted that Kolasinac, 27, knows he is a back-up but “wants to fight for his spot”. Kolasinac’s wages, reported to be at least £100,000 a week, could prove a stumbling block even if Arsenal were keen to facilitate the transfer.
CHOUIAR ON THE RADAR
Arsenal have been repeatedly linked with a move for Mounir Chouiar and the 21-year-old was left out of Dijon’s matchday squad for their loss against Brest yesterday.
It sounds like they will have to fend off interest from a variety of Premier League clubs to land the starlet though, with Wolves and Leeds listed as monitoring his situation.
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