Branislav Ivanovic is expected to sign a new four-year contract at Chelsea worth around £65,000 a week after protracted negotiations.

The Serbia defender, whose current deal expires in 17 months, has been a consistent performer in Chelsea's defence this season and will commit his future to the club despite Carlo Ancelotti's aspirations to add the Brazilian centre-back David Luiz to his ranks before the closure of the transfer window.

Benfica are braced to receive a third and improved offer for Luiz in the next few days, with Chelsea confident he can be prised away from the Estádio da Luz.

The Brazilian's arrival could lead to Ivanovic being asked to revert to his unfavoured right-back role – he has always fancied himself as a centre-half – but he has already proved himself adept in that position having established himself at Stamford Bridge since his £9m move from Lokomotiv Moscow three years ago.