[dst]

Milan set for Ivanovic crunch talks
Wednesday 13 August, 2008
Today could be the day that Milan complete a swoop for Chelsea’s Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic.

The Rossoneri are looking to swell their defensive ranks and have set their sights on the 24-year-old stopper.

Ivanovic has been told that he doesn’t feature in Luiz Felipe Scolari’s first-team plans for the coming campaign and has grown frustrated at his inactivity in West London since arriving in January from Lokomotiv Moscow.

The most likely solution is a loan deal, which will allow Milan to add some depth to their back line for the season and prevent Chelsea from losing a possible star of the future.

The world champions are likely to be offered the chance to make the deal permanent this time next year for a fee of around £10m.

Diavolo transfer guru Ariedo Braida is expected in London within the next few hours to meet with Ivanovic’s agent Marko Naletilic and Chelsea chief Peter Kenyon.

A number of details still have to be ironed out, but a deal could be completed within the working day.

channel4

[Tennie]

I want a long-term replacement too. But Milan has approximately 2 weeks to find one. Granted, the club has a long history of pulling off big signings on the last day of the season (I still remember the mobs in the piazza on Aug 31 2002 when Nesta's signing was announced) but if a suitable candidate doens't present himself, I'd be happy with Panucci even if it would mean the inevitable retirement home jokes. Just...whoever it is, I hope he's good.

[Giancarlo]

I want a long-term replacement too. But Milan has approximately 2 weeks to find one. Granted, the club has a long history of pulling off big signings on the last day of the season (I still remember the mobs in the piazza on Aug 31 2002 when Nesta's signing was announced) but if a suitable candidate doens't present himself, I'd be happy with Panucci even if it would mean the inevitable retirement home jokes. Just...whoever it is, I hope he's good.

Alex Silva is cheap affordable yet very effective replacement, and Milan has shown they can sign young South American players just like that (Viudez and Cardacio). We have extensive connections in Brazil...

At this point I'd consider Panucci too... he plays like someone 5 years younger.