Barcelona plotting surprise bid for Branislav Ivanovic?

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic has emerged as a surprise target for Barcelona, according to a report.

The Spanish giants have placed the Serbian on a three-man shortlist of potential candidates to replace Dani Alves, who left the club over the summer, at right-back, reports Mundo Deportivo.

Ivanovic has struggled to hold down first-team football at Chelsea since Antonio Conte took charge of the London club, starting just once in their last four matches.

Barca are also said to have earmarked Juventus right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner and Shakhtar Donetsk veteran Darijo Srna as the other potential replacements for Alves, who now plays for Juve.

The La Liga outfit are expected to make a move for 22-year-old Valencia defender Joao Cancelo in the summer as a permanent solution to their right-back problem.

Meanwhile, Ivanovic has also been linked with a move to West Ham United ahead of the January window.