Arsenal and Manchester City are both continuing to show interest in West Brom captain Jonny Evans, but Arsenal’s interest appears to be slightly more advanced.
According to Simon Stone of the BBC, Arsene Wenger is ‘particularly keen’ on signing the 30-year-old, formerly of Manchester United, and may have a way of tempting West Brom.
Stone reports that Arsenal could pay up to £25million for Evans and also offer French right-back Mathieu Debuchy in exchange.
One thing that could work in City’s favour though, is Evans’ desire to remain in the north-west, where his family are based, but if Wenger is more serious about signing him than Pep Guardiola, he is unlikely to reject a move to a club of Arsenal’s stature.
Jonny Evans a man in demand. @Arsenal and @ManCity both made contact. Understood Wenger particularly keen. Could pay up to £25m, inc Debuchy going other way. Player ideally would stay in north west (family base) but not going to ignore club of Arsenal's standing.
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) January 8, 2018
If Evans does join Arsenal, it again begs the question who Manchester City’s main defensive target is this winter – if indeed they go ahead with plans to sign one.
Virgil van Dijk, one of the listed targets, moved to Liverpool for a world record fee for a defender.
Despite claims by Guillem Balague that City don’t want him, Iñigo Martínez of Real Sociedad remains an option, while the prospect of a big money move for Leicester City and England defender Harry Maguire surfaced at the weekend.
