Chelsea Transfer News: Marko Grujic 'Bid Made,' Branislav Ivanovic Exit Rumours

The latest transfer speculation surrounding Stamford Bridge sports a Serbian theme after it emerged the Blues have made a bid for Red Star Belgrade starlet Marko Grujic, but Branislav Ivanovic could be headed for the exit.

According to Bruce Archer of the Daily Express, Manchester United are also in pursuit of Grujic, but the Blues have taken the initiative after launching a £3 million offer for his signature.

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The 19-year-old was part of the Serbia squad that sealed this year's under-20 World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Brazil in June, where he was an unused substitute in the Auckland final.

The Premier League giants will also have to beat competition from France, however, after Bleacher Report's Jonathan Johnson cited French newspaper L'Equipe, which reported Paris Saint-Germain are also interested:

Central midfielder Grujic has made swift strides with Red Star since emerging from the club's academy in 2013, going on to make 27 appearances for the club. This season has been a breakthrough campaign for the teenager after playing the full 90 minutes in 12 of his 16 Serbian SuperLiga appearances, grabbing four goals in his last six games.

Standing at 6'3", Grujic is a similar build to compatriot and current Chelsea anchor Nemanja Matic, who also spent time in the Red Star Belgrade academy before joining capital rivals Partizan.

What's more, Matic also gained some seniority with Kolubara, where Grujic spent some time on loan in 2014 to showcase yet more similarities between the two engine-room specialists.

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Chelsea's plummeting form this season has created a greater sense of competition within their ranks, but Grujic may feel his chances of first-team football would be limited in west London, just as they were for Matic in his first Chelsea spell.

Meanwhile, Inter's reported interest in Blues right-back Ivanovic could see the club stalwart leave for Serie A, according to Italian outlet Calcio Mercato (via Daily Star's James Phillips).

Ivanovic's contract runs out at the end of this season, and the defender would be free to sign a pre-contract agreement in January, perhaps considering a change of scenery following a fall from his previous standards.

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp appeared on BT Sport's Fletch and Sav show earlier this week, questioning how Ivanovic has gone from one of the best players in the Premier League to his current state:

"

"Ivanovic was a monster a year ago!" @Redknapp cannot fathom the dip in form of @ChelseaFC's star players. https://t.co/xhDqy7y5Tc

— Fletch And Sav (@FletchAndSav) October 31, 2015"

The 31-year-old has been one of the players struggling to recapture his best form at Stamford Bridge this term, with Chelsea's defence in particular sticking out as a new weakness.

However, Breathe Sport suggested Jose Mourinho's side may actually operate better without Ivanovic in their lineup:

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Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in all 3 games Branislav Ivanovic has not taken part in this season... pic.twitter.com/kuUu3DJFkj

— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) October 21, 2015"

In any case, it seems unlikely the reigning Premier League champions would sell such an experienced figure in January, although with Ivanovic turning 32 in February, the chances of him earning an extension may be slight.

Inter might have hope of landing the Serbia international on a free transfer next summer, but bad form or not, Mourinho shouldn't look to give up on the veteran full-back and two-time Premier League winner just yet.