Chelsea could start their summer of business with Juventus by shipping Branislav Ivanovic out to the Italian giants.
Antonio Conte is still well in with the club he managed between 2011 and 2014 and a part of him might still be hoping to lure Leonardo Bonucci from them at the end of the season.
The Italy star is likely to cost around the £60million mark, but to keep relations sweet, Ivanovic could go the other way as back up for right-back Dani Alves, as reported by the Sun.
The 32-year-old is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge regardless.
There’s no place for the Serb international in Conte’s new three-at-the-back system – Gary Cahill, David Luiz and Cesar Azpilicueta have become the Italian’s favoured trio, and on their current form, that’s unlikely to change.
The veteran defender would have to take a pay cut of nearly £25,000 a week, but few other champions are unlikely to take him on, so the Old Lady’s recent run of Scudettos could be a deciding factor for the player.
Juve are keen to sign him in the eventuality that Stephan Lichtsteiner moves to Barcelona – who, oddly enough, need someone to replace Alves, who switched to Turin in the summer.
Lichtsteiner is growing frustrated, whereas because of his age, Ivanovic may be more content to bide his time on the bench.
It’s testament to the old adage that Serie A is far less intense than the Premier League that this is a deal which might actually happen, and it’s a fantastic way for Chelsea to start slim-lining their squad.
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