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
TREMENDOUS NEWS FOR ARSENAL
The Athletic’s Arsenal correspondent Amy Lawrence has confirmed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will sign a new contract at Arsenal imminently, despite being personally resigned to the striker leaving.
She describes the news as “tremendous”.
AUBAMEYANG TEASES CONTRACT NEWS
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has posted a tweet which appears to confirm speculation that an announcement on his new contract may be imminent.
The striker posted the hourglass emoji, hinting that it’s just a matter of time before Arsenal fans get the news they’ve been craving for.
Aubameyang has scored 22 league goals in each of his full seasons in north London, and is already off the mark in this campaign.
AUBAMEYANG CONTRACT UPDATE
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looks set to sign a new contract at Arsenal imminently.
Fabrizio Romano has tweeted to report the contract as sealed, with Aubameyang reportedly turning down two bids to leave the club.
ARSENAL BEHIND WEST HAM FOR PAULO
West Ham are in pole position to sign Fluminense teenager Marcos Paulo, despite interest from Arsenal, according to Teamtalk.
Paulo is a talented winger and Portugal youth international and any prospective buyer may have to match his £40 million release clause.
Watford, Leeds and Southampton are all credited as watching the 19-year-old.
ROMANO CONFIRMS GOALKEEPER DEALS
Although the transfers of Emiliano Martinez and Runar Alex Runarsson are currently unconfirmed, Fabrizio Romano is in little doubt over their inevitability.
WORRYING RUNARSSON NUMBERS
Arsenal are close to completing a cut-price deal for Dijon’s Runar Alex Runarsson to replace Emiliano Martinez, according to reports.
Icelandic outlet DV claim the 25-year-old underwent a medical yesterday ahead of a £1.5 million move.
Gunarsson is admired by Inaki Cana, Arsenal’s goalkeeping coach, who we worked with at Nordsjaelland.
But not all signs about the transfer are positive. WhoScored highlight the fact that Runarsson has the worst save percentage of any goalkeeper to have played over 20 games in Ligue 1 since the start of the 2018/19 season.
BENRAHMA WOULD PREFER ARSENAL MOVE
Said Benrahma may be holding out for interest from Arsenal, according to 90 min.
Crystal Palace are widely reported to be interested in the talented Brentford winger, and ready to match his rumoured £25 million asking price.
But a deal does not seem to be close to completion just yet, and 90 min speculate that Benrahma will be hopeful of a swoop from Mikel Arteta, who was tentatively linked with the Algerian earlier this summer.
TORINO IN TORREIRA TALKS
Sky Sports are reporting Torino’s interest in taking Lucas Torreira on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy.
The deal would see the Serie A club pay £22 million for the Uruguayan, across two instalments, and the 24-year-old reunited with his former Sampdoria boss Marco Giampaolo.
Arsenal would reportedly reinvest the fee in a midfielder, with Lyon’s Houssem Aouar and Atletico’s Thomas Partey strongly linked.
TORINO IN TORREIRA TALKS
Sky Sports are reporting Torino’s interest in taking Lucas Torreira on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy.
The deal would see the Serie A club pay £22 million for the Uruguayan, across two instalments, and the 24-year-old reunited with his former Sampdoria boss Marco Giampaolo.
Arsenal would reportedly reinvest the fee in a midfielder, with Lyon’s Houssem Aouar and Atletico’s Thomas Partey strongly linked.
WEST HAM TURN TO HOLDING
West Ham are reportedly considering Rob Holding as an alternative to James Tarkowski should their bid for the Burnley defender fail.
The Hammers have seen multiple bids for Tarkowski rejected and are in dire need of reinforcement in defence.
The report claims they would be prepared to pay a significant fee, of up to £5 million, to take Holding on loan for the season.
Holding looked set for a move to Newcastle earlier this window, before Arsenal backed out of the deal.
The 24-year-old started the Gunners’ 3-0 win over Fulham last weekend.
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