Manchester City are ready to pounce as Chelsea continue to stall over a new contract for defender Branislav Ivanovic.

The Serbian international's current deal at Stamford Bridge expires at the end of the season and the Daily Mail is reporting City are the latest club to be monitoring Ivanovic's situation.

It is understood the 31-year-old's preference is to remain a Chelsea player, but is also being courted by a host of top European clubs including City, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Zenit St Petersburg.

Blues owner Roman Abramovich is believed to be a big fan of Ivanovic but is said to be taking into consideration the player's age before offering another contract.