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 eye Partey alternative
Mikel Arteta is keen to add more talent to his squad after beating Fulham in their opener
OZIL NOW LONGEST SERVING PLAYER
Mesut Ozil will become Arsenal’s longest-serving senior player when Emiliano Martinez completes his imminent transfer to Aston Villa.
Ozil joined the Gunners for £42.5 million in September 2013, one year after Martinez made his competitive debut in the League Cup.
Although Hector Bellerin, Reiss Nelson and Ainsley Maitland-Niles have all been associated with the club for longer, Ozil made his professional debut for Arsenal before any other member of the current squad.
The 31-year-old has made 254 appearances in all competitions since joining, scoring 44 goals.
He has become a peripheral member of the squad in recent years, and his £350,000 a week contract has one more year to run.
TORINO MOVE WOULD SEE TORREIRA REUNITE WITH GIAMPAOLO
The strongly reported interest in Lucas Torreira from Torino is given more credence by their manager, Marco Giampaolo.
Giampaolo managed Torreira at Sampdoria, where the Uruguayan played the best football of his career to date. When Giampaolo took the AC Milan job last summer there were a spate of reports linking Torreira with the Rossoneri.
Torreira played 36 games in Serie A in his last season at Sampdoria under Giampaolo, who was appointed by Torino in August. He did not make the matchday squad for Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Fulham on Saturday.
IZZO SALE COULD FUND TORREIRA TRANSFER
Earlier we reported that multiple Italian outlets are claiming Torino have agreed a £22 million fee for Lucas Torreira, split between an initial loan fee and obligation to buy.
That deal would seem to perfectly echo Torino’s sale of Armando Izzo to Roma, which is reportedly at an advanced stage.
Should Izzo’s transfer happen it would certainly provide Torino the funds to sign Torreira, although it does mean the latter move might have to wait for the former to be completed.
MARTINEZ TO BECOME MOST EXPENSIVE ARGENTINE KEEPER
Emiliano Martinez will become the most expensive Argentine goalkeeper in history when he moves to Aston Villa for a fee of £20 million.
It’s a transfer that will see Arsenal recoup much of the £22.5 million they spent on first choice Bernd Leno in 2018.
Independiente are also reportedly set to land a €500,000 windfall from the sale.
Not bad for a player with 11 top flight appearances to his name as recently as May.
TORREIRA AGREEMENT CLOSE
Lucas Torreira is set for a move to Torino, according to multiple reports in Italy.
The 24-year-old will return to Serie A on an initial loan with an obligation to buy, for a combined fee of £22 million.
Uruguay midfielder Torreira made a promising start to life in north London, starring in a 4-2 comeback win over Spurs in December 2018.
He has since fallen out of favour under Mikel Arteta and his sale would free up funds for a replacement. Arsenal have been linked with moves for Thomas Partey and Houssem Aouar in recent weeks.
TRANSFER MOVEMENT COMING SOON
All signs are pointing towards Emiliano Martinez being announced as an Aston Villa player today.
Mark Mann-Bryans, of Press Association, has tweeted that he expects the deal to be completed in the next 24 hours. He added that a contract extension for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is on its way “soon”.
AUBAMEYANG SENIOR POSTS CRYPTIC WRIGHT PICTURE
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s father Pierre-Francois posted a telling picture with Ian Wright on Instagram last night as rumours of the star striker signing a new contract continue to intensify.
When appearing on Match of the Day on Saturday night, Wright exclaimed: “I’m going to see Papa Aubameyang tomorrow, they have to sign. It’s simple as that. We have to sign that guy.”
Aubameyang senior uploaded a photo of himself embracing Wright at the Emirates Stadium with the caption: “What a surprise the legend @WrightyOfficial came to see me. What do you think? In my case it was very rewarding.”
COACH RECOMMENDED RUNARSSON
More details are emerging about Arsenal’s interest in Runar Alex Runarsson in The Telegraph.
Runarsson, who is reportedly available for a mere £1.5 million, was recommended as a signing by goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana, who worked with the Iceland international at FC Nordsjaelland.
Runarsson, 25, would replace the outgoing Emiliano Martinez if he seals a move from Ligue 1 side Dijon.
NEW SIGNINGS BRING SPARK IN OPENER
Willian and Gabriel shone as Arteta’s Arsenal continue to gather momentum, writes Tony Evans.
How Arsenal’s new signings are flourishing into Mikel Arteta’s perfect ‘mix'
Gunners continued to revel in their fantastic wave of momentum against Fulham
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