I really would have wanted the versatile (he can play anywhere in defence) Branislav Ivanovi? to join Man Utd and team up with fellow Serbian Nemanja Vidic in defence, but it’s not to be as the 23-year-old has opted to join Chelsea which probably is not a real suprise considering their owner is a Russian (Ivanovi? previous club was FC Lokomotiv Moscow).The deal is said to costs Chelsea a mere £9m.

The 23-year-old becomes Avram Grant’s second signing of the transfer window following the £15m arrival of Nicolas Anelka last week.

A statement from Chelsea confirmed: “Chelsea can confirm it has agreed terms with Lokomotiv Moscow for the transfer of Branislav Ivanovic.

“A work permit application has also been successful for the player.

“The transfer is now subject to the agreement of personal terms and passing of the medical.”

Ivanovic can play anywhere in defence and won his first senior cap for Serbia and Montenegro in June 2006 in a friendly against Italy which ended 1-1.

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