West Brom defender Jonny Evans will snub Arsenal to join Manchester City, according to reports.

Who knew that at the end of the transfer window Arsenal and City would be battling it out for Jonny Evans? That’s the reality we’ve found ourselves in. If you think things are bad now, then the Daily Mail’s claim that Evans would turn us down to join City instead will make you weep.

City want Evans to be their fourth choice centre-back and believe that a left-footed defender would compliment their existing options. Arsenal, on the other hand, are trying to get the 29-year-old as a replacement for Shkodran Mustafi, who could be on his way to Inter Milan or Juventus.

It says a lot that Evans would rather be a sub at City than be a starter at Arsenal. The Gunners had interest in the Northern Ireland international last summer but went on to sign Mustafi instead. In a bizarre twist of fate, the 25-year-old could now be sold to make way for Evans.

The situation is said to be complicated further by West Brom’s desire to sign City’s Eliaquim Mangala should they allow the Arsenal and Man City target to leave. Mangala has been a target for Inter Milan and City will only let him go if they can sign the Baggies’ defender.

Alternatively, Inter could go for Mustafi, who Arsenal will only let go if they can get Evans, who West Brom will only let go if they can get Mangala, who City won’t let go if they can’t get Evans.

It’s a huge mess.