Blues stopper just the job for Italians

Italian outfit Fiorentina are reportedly set to step up their efforts to sign Chelsea's versatile defender Branislav Ivanovic.

The Serie A side, nicknamed La Viola, have earmarked the 24-year-old Serbian as a January target after he expressed a desire for more first-team action having struggled to force his way into boss Luiz Felipe Scolari's plans.

Ivanovic, who only joined the Blues from Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow last January, is also rumoured to have fallen out of favour with several members of the Stamford Bridge coaching staff.

The only stumbling block is that Scolari might be reluctant to let Ivanovic leave given that Wayne Bridge has departed for Manchester City.

But Viola sporting director Pantaleo Corvino wants the stopper to boost the club's defence as they fight it out for honours on several fronts and a £7million offer could be tempting for the Blues hierarchy.