Report: Zenit eyeing Chelsea afterthought Ivanovic

Branislav Ivanovic may be set to take his massive calves, penchant for joining attacks, and measured pace to the Russian top flight with reports linking the out-of-favour Chelsea defender with a move to Zenit St. Petersburg.

After losing his spot in Antonio Conte's table-topping 3-4-3 formation, Ivanovic is nearing the end of a nine-year tenure at Stamford Bridge, with ESPN UK reporting that Zenit has opened talks with Chelsea over the services of the 92-time capped Serbian international.

The 32-year-old Ivanovic is no stranger to Russian football, and Zenit is hoping the versatile defender's three years with Lokomotiv Moscow prior to his move to London will help persuade the player to make the switch.

Out of contract in the summer and with a scant six league starts for the Blues this season - and none since a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal on Sept. 9 - Ivanovic's exit is all but certain, especially considering Conte's tactical change stemming from that London derby defeat.

With Nathan Ake returning to the club following a brilliant half-season loan spell at Bournemouth and Kurt Zouma again with the first team on the heels of a lengthy spell on the treatment table, Ivanovic has become surplus to requirements with Chelsea.

Looking to cash in on the Serb's services, it's likely the club will sell Ivanovic before the January transfer window slams shut on Feb. 1.