Ron Atkinson thinks Branislav Ivanovic is the answer for Aston Villa

Jul 7 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

RON Atkinson believes Chelsea’s giant Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic could be the solution to Martin O’Neill’s defensive search.

O’Neill is scouring the market for a replacement for retired skipper Martin Laursen and has been linked with a dozen or more names over the past few weeks.

Norwegian Brede Hangeland has turned down a new deal at Fulham worth around £30,000 a week and reports today suggested O’Neill would bid £9 million and offer £45,000 a week.

Villa are, however, likely to have to sizeably up that bid for a player who still has two years left on his contract.

Others linked have also included Sylvain Distin, Matthew Upson, David Wheater, Micah Richards, Wes Brown, Michael Dawson and William Gallas.

Ivanovic’s name has so far escaped media scrutiny but Atkinson saw enough of the 25-year-old international against John Carew last season to know he is a real talent.

Atkinson believes he might just be available at the right price because of a healthy surplus of centre-backs at Stamford Bridge.

“Would Chelsea let someone like Branislav Ivanovic go? I don’t know,” said Atkinson.

“They have a lot of centre-halves there because Ricardo Carvalho is still there. And if John Terry doesn’t go, then perhaps Ivanovic might be someone they could let out as they already have the likes of Alex.