Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic set to leave on a free transfer before Tuesday

After spending nine successful years at Stamford Bridge, it might be curtains for Branislav Ivanovic’s Chelsea career, if reports are to be believed.

With four days to go for the January transfer window to slam shut, clubs like Crystal Palace, Leicester City, West Brom and Zenit St. Petersburg are queuing up to sign the Serbian defender.

After Antonio Conte switched to a 3-4-3 formation, Ivanovic has found his starting berth usurped in part by Cesar Azpilicueta and Victor Moses. With fitness and form already on the wane, the defender has been a peripheral figure in Chelsea’s grip on the top of the league table.

Conte, however, has played down talks of his transfer, while stating at the same time that the Serbian won’t start the FA Cup match against Brentford this Sunday.

The Chelsea manager said, as quoted by Sky Sports:

I don’t know if anything happens about him. There are four days (remaining of the transfer window) and, in this month, there is a lot of speculation. When I switched to three at the back, something changed and, for sure, I have to make decisions. I think that, until now, he’s always involved in our squad.

Ivanovic has six months left on his contract and there has been no talks of a new deal yet. With John Terry and Kurt Zouma waiting in the wings as back-up for the Chelsea defence, it would be beneficial to all parties if this transfer goes through.

The Serbian can fondly look back at his Chelsea career, where he won all major club tournaments and made more than 400 appearances in all competitions. He would forever remain a cult figure at the Bridge, as he looks out for fresh challenges in the final stages of his career.