Branislav Ivanovic

Juve eye Ivanovic loan
Thursday 12 June, 2008

Juventus have reignited their interest in Branislav Ivanovic following his false start at Premier League giants Chelsea.

The 24-year-old snubbed a January switch to Turin after Lokomotiv Moscow accepted a £9m bid from the Stamford Bridge outfit instead.

However, the Serbian international has yet to make an appearance for the 2008 Champions League runners-up which has cast doubt over his future.

Now whispers in Turin suggest that Juve may make a cheeky attempt to net the versatile stopper by asking the London club for his services on loan.

The Bianconeri will be back in the Champions League next season and are known to be looking to significantly strengthen their rearguard.

Although they’ve already netted Olof Mellberg on a free transfer from Aston Villa, boss Claudio Ranieri is desperate for more options.

Juventus faced a defensive crisis last term when £7m summer signing Jorge Andrade was ruled out for the season after just four games, while Domenico Criscito didn’t offer the security needed.

In a stroke of good fortune, Ranieri transformed left-back Giorgio Chiellini into a centre-back and Nicola Legrottaglie finally showed the kind of form which netted him a move to Juventus from Chievo in the first place.

Ivanovic would certainly add some steel to the rearguard, but it is unclear at this stage whether Chelsea are willing to release him.

Much will depend on the future of Ricardo Carvalho. He’s admitted that he’d love to follow Jose Mourinho to Inter, but the appointment of Portugal boss Luiz Felipe Scolari at Chelsea may see him remain.

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