West Bromwich Albion has reportedly placed a £35 million price tag on former Manchester United defender Jonny Evans, a target for Manchester City.
According to The Sun, Manchester City may have to pay over the odds for another player in this inflated market, with West Bromwich Albion placing a £35 million price tag on Jonny Evans. The former Manchester United defender has emerged as a shock summer target for the Citizens.
Pep Guardiola’s need for additions in the central defensive area has brought him over to the Hawthorns, with the manager eyeing a highly controversial move for Jonny Evans, the former Manchester United defender. However, their initial bid of £18 million, which could have risen to £22 million with bonuses, was rejected by West Brom.
Tony Pulis is reportedly adamant that the player is not for sale while the club, according to reports, are willing to negotiate the player’s departure, albeit for a mammoth fee around the £35 million mark.
West Brom are well aware of Manchester City’s desperation to add to the numbers at the back and the currently inflated market. The Baggies know they will have a tough time in acquiring a replacement for Jonny Evans and thus want a higher fee for the Northern Irish centre-back.
Jonny Evans has become a leader at Hawthorns after 198 senior appearances for Manchester United. The Red Devils academy graduate was one of the first names on the team sheet last season for West Brom, whenever fit and the same is expected to carry on for the Northern Irish man.
Jonny Evans: Only two players have won possession in the defensive third more times than Evans (267) in the last 3 Premier League seasons pic.twitter.com/FGOD2B0F5j
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) August 17, 2017
Manchester City could do with an experienced centre-back to nurture John Stones, who would also add further steel at the back for the Citizens as Pep Guardiola seeks his first trophy in England.
West Brom are set to pursue Tottenham man Kevin Wimmer and are looking to add the Austrian to the squad after acquiring Ahmed Hegazy from loan – a move that has already proven to be beneficial for the club, with the Egyptian slotting in the winner against Bournemouth.
While Kevin Wimmer would be a direct replacement for Jonny Evans, the player is unlikely to cost the entire proceeds from the potential sale of Evans, if City do oblige with an offer around the £35 million mark.
In such a case, the rest of the proceeds could be used to reinforce other positions as well, which could be crucial in their Premier League campaign going forward. Right now, though, City have been named a price and the Citizens have to decide whether to continue their pursuit or look elsewhere.
