Sunderland interested in Branislav Ivanovic

Sunderland manager David Moyes has been in contact with Chelsea boss Antonio Conte regarding a loan move for defender Branislav Ivanovic. The Serbian international, 32, is deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues have pushed Ivanovic far down the pecking order in recent months, with club captain John Terry preferred as backup to the defensive line of Cahill, Azpilicueta and David Luiz. Ivanovic has 18 months remaining on his Blues contract and will look to leave this month as reports suggest that Nathan Ake, recalled from Bournemouth, has jumped ahead of Ivanovic in the first team squad pecking order at Chelsea.