With Manchester City reportedly stepping up their pursuit of Jonny Evans, it looks as if they’re in the driver’s seat, but Arsenal can offer him something Pep Guardiola can’t.
With Virgil van Dijk joining Southampton for £75m, City have reportedly stepped up their interest in West Brom centre-back Jonny Evans.
At the moment, it’s probable that the 30-year-old would rather sign for City than Arsenal. Although the S*n insists the Gunners are in pole position to sign the Northern Ireland international after stepping up their interest.
Both sides contacted the Baggies over the summer but refused to meet their asking price.
West Brom are now said to be asking for £25m for Evans, who has just 18 months left on his current contract, and the Gunners are allegedly willing to meet this. They’re even reportedly offering to chuck in Mathieu Debuchy.
Presumably, City will too as they’re keen to sign back-up for the injury-prone Vincent Kompany.
Arsenal desperately need a centre-back themselves. They’re yet to replace Gabriel after he signed for Valencia over the summer, Per Mertesacker is retiring at the end of the season and Laurent Koscielny’s dodgy Achilles is causing the 32-year-old all kinds of problems.
With this in mind, Evans is far more likely to get a regular, first team spot in Arsenal’s team. Whereas he would only be a squad player at City.
The ex-Manchester United defender’s best years are probably behind him. Does he want to spend the rest of them sitting on the bench for his former rivals and picking up a decent wage, or playing first team Premier League football for a slightly-better-than-average wage?
When asked about Evans at his pre-Chelsea presser, Arsene Wenger was notoriously vague but didn’t rule out Arsenal’s interest.
“We don’t have an agreement with anybody,” he said.
“To see off any interest of any other club, yes. I don’t know if Manchester City are in for anybody. I don’t know what their policy is.
“If the decision comes to finances against Manchester City, we know we will be second best.”