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Everton are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.

According to the Daily Mail, Everton are interested in signing Chelsea’s veteran defender Branislav Ivanovic, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

Ivanovic, 32, joined Chelsea way back in January 2008, leaving Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow for Stamford Bridge, and he’s become one of the mainstays of the Blues side in his nine years at the club.

Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in action with Arsenal’s Shkodran Mustafi

The Serbian international – who has 92 caps for his country – has racked up nearly 400 appearances for Chelsea, and has enjoyed great success having won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups, the Champions League and the Europa League.

Whilst he’s been a regular under a number of managers, Ivanovic has struggled for first-team football under Antonio Conte this term, as he hasn’t started a Premier League game since the 24th of September, where he was torn apart in the 3-0 defeat at Arsenal.

Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in action with Bournemouth’s Joshua King

Ivanovic’s contract expires at the end of the season, and with a lack of first-team football coupled with Conte having a number of options in defence like Cesar Azpilicueta, Gary Cahill, David Luiz, Kurt Zouma and Nathan Ake – as well as Andreas Christensen, currently on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach – Ivanovic may be expendable.

Now, the Daily Mail report that Premier League rivals Everton are keen on Ivanovic, who looks to be available this month or can be signed for free at the end of the season,

Capable of playing at centre back or right back, Ivanovic is a strong defender who could play in a number of roles for Ronald Koeman, and the Toffees may see him as a real bargain.

Yet, with the likes of Leighton Baines, Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka all over 30 already, fans may question going for another ageing defender, no matter how cheap he is to sign either this month or in the summer.

Would you like to see Everton sign Ivanovic?

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