Everton are reportedly targeting Branislav Ivanovic as a replacement for Phil Jagielka

According to the Daily Mail, Phil Jagielka is set to leave Everton next week after holding talks with the club. Jagielka was linked with both West Ham and Sunderland, but after West Ham signed Jose Fonte last week it appears Jagielka is set for a reunion with his former manager David Moyes.

They further state that Everton are now monitoring Branislav Ivanovic’s situation at Chelsea, as they look for replacements for the veteran Englishman. Ivanovic, who has been at the club since 2008 after joining the Blues in a £9 million deal from Lokomotiv Moscow could even be allowed to leave before the end of the month, according to the report.

Ivanovic’s contract with Chelsea expires at the end of the season, but the Blues have recently allowed Jon Obi Mikel to leave for free with only six months left on his contract. However, given that Everton play in the same league it is possible that they will look for some compensation from the Merseysiders.

Ivanovic has only managed six starts in the league this season, with seven substitute appearances. Antonio Conte has sparingly used him in the league after dropping him from the side after Chelsea’s disappointing 3-0 loss to Everton, and Ivanovic who had started every game until then has only played 42 minutes in the league since.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 08: Branislav Ivanovic of Chelsea (L) is put under pressure from Gwion Edwards of Peterborough United (R) during The Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Chelsea and Peterborough United at Stamford Bridge on January 8, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
On his way out (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

It is clear that Conte no longer considers Ivanovic a key part of his plans and he has only brought him on to see out matches in the final minutes, although the Serbian did play all 90 minutes of Chelsea’s 4-1 victory over Peterborough in the FA Cup.

Ivanovic was reportedly a target for Juventus and Barcelona as both were looking for defensive cover back in November, but those reports soon died out and Ivanovic has remained at Chelsea. It does look like his time at Stamford Bridge is now coming to an end though, with Everton keen on the defender.

Ivanovic has enjoyed a very successful career with Chelsea, having won two Premier League titles, three FA Cup trophies and the UEFA Champions League in his 375 appearances for the club. However at 32 years of age, he is no longer the defender he once was and it seems very likely that Chelsea will let him go.

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