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
GUNNERS INTERESTED IN FRENCH YOUNGSTER
Arsenal are one of a host of clubs chasing Rennes’ 18-year-old forward Georginio Rutter.
L’Equipe report that Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, RB Leipzig, Newcastle and Arsenal have all registered their interest in the teenager.
Rutter only has 12 months left on his contract so may be available either at a cut price, or as a free agent next summer.
KOLASINAC ON WEST HAM WISHLIST
Sead Kolasinac is one of several full-backs being considered by West Ham, writes David Ornstein in The Athletic.
The Bosnian international has fallen behind Kieran Tierney and Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the pecking order at The Emirates and would enjoy more first team action at the London Stadium.
Wages might be an issue, however. Kolasinac was a free agent when he penned a five year deal in 2017, on a reported £100,000 weekly salary.
ARTETA CONVERSATION SEALED MARTINEZ MOVE
Emiliano Martinez decided to leave Arsenal after a conversation with Mikel Arteta, according to the Daily Mail.
Martinez was explicitly told he would not be first choice going into the new season,and Mikel Arteta was even hesitant to rotate his keepers in cup competitions, writes Simon Jones.
Martinez impressed in Bernd Leno’s absence during Project Restart, but did not feature against Fulham this weekend and should complete a £20 million move to Aston Villa today.
AOUAR MOVE HEADS INTO CRUCIAL TWO WEEKS
Houssem Aouar has made up his mind to leave Lyon, according to ESPN.
The French midfielder is wanted by Arsenal and the report claims Manchester City and Juventus are now focusing on alternative targets.
That is a boost for Mikel Arteta’s side, who will now face a decisive two weeks over their hopes of landing the player.
LAMPARD REACTS TO ACCUSATIONS OF OVERSPENDING
I found it slightly amusing because I think when you talk about the owners of clubs, I don’t think it matters what line of business they come from. Liverpool have spent huge amounts and have bought very good players as well.
The reality is most clubs that win the league have recruited well and at quite a high level money wise. “You can go through the Liverpool players – Van Dijk, Alisson, Fabinho, Keita, Mane, Salah. Incredible players that came at a very high price. Liverpool have done it over a period of time. What we have done is come off the back of a ban.
I probably mentioned the transfer ban quite a lot last year. Maybe I felt that was some of the reason we were 30 points behind the top two teams.
ARTETA GIVES TRANSFER UPDATE
I don’t know. I am not going to discuss here what the things that happened internally. But a lot of the things they have been writing, I can tell you they are not true.
TORREIRA EXIT IMMINENT
Arsenal will accept a £22m bid for Lucas Torreira, Tuttosport have reported.
That will be a hit on the £26m paid to Sampdoria for the Uruguayan midfielder.
Torino would be willing to pay that fee with manager previously coaching the player at Samp.
That money could then be reinvested for a player such as Thomas Partey and Houssem Aouar.
SPURS MAKE STRIKER LIST
Spurs have a list of strikers to boost their attack.
Mourinho could move for Metz striker Habib Diallo, Benfica’s Carlos Vinicius and Torino captain Andrea Belotti.
Arkadiusz Milik was a target, but the Polish striker’s price will likely be too much, RB Salzburg striker Patson Daka is also being considered, but Football London maintain Braga’s Paulinho is not on their radar.
While Trabzonspor president Ahmet Agaoglu revealed Spurs will compete with themselves and RB Leipzig to sign Alexander Sorloth from Crystal Palace.
SPURS WANT INGS
One of Arsenal’s top four rivals continue to be active in the market, with Spurs looking to make a move for Danny Ings.
Football London claim the Saints forward is a target for Jose Mourinho.
RAYA STILL AN OPTION
Brentford's £10million-rated goalkeeper David Raya is still an option for Arsenal.
Despite interest now in Icelandic goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson, the Mail claim the Bees star could replace Emi Martinez.
Raya famously made a mistake in the Championship play-off final to cost his side promotion against Fulham, but his tactical fit intrigues the Gunners.
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