Chelsea ready to cut losses on Ivanovic

Chelsea are preparing to cut their losses and sell Branislav Ivanovic to AC Milan. The Serbia defender was signed for £9.7 million from Lokomotiv Moscow in January, but is yet to play for the first team. The deal for the 24-year-old is expected to be on an initial one-year loan, with the option of a permanent transfer next summer.

Milan have decided to make the move after losing 5-0 to Chelsea and 1-0 to Manchester City in pre-season matches, even though Carlo Ancelotti, the coach, has said that he does not rate Ivanovic. Milan have also been linked with Alex Silva, the São Paolo defender. “Who do I prefer?” Ancelotti said. “To be honest, neither of them.”

Claudio Pizarro could also be leaving Stamford Bridge. Hull City and Stoke City are interested in the Peru forward, who scored only twice last season. “It’s a very expensive option,” Phil Brown, the Hull manager, said.