Manchester United have reportedly joined the race to sign Jonny Evans, who is also being tailed by Arsenal and Manchester City for a January move.
According to a report by Daily Mirror, Manchester United are scouring the possibility of bringing Jonny Evans back to Old Trafford in the winter transfer window. The Red Devils are set to battle rivals Arsenal and Manchester City in pursuit of the West Bromwich Albion defender.
Evans has seen his career stabilise upon joining West Brom from Manchester United in the summer of 2015. So much so that, with the player holding fort tremendously for the Baggies, he is now considered to be among the most reliable defenders in the Premier League.
His progress at the Hawthorns has also seen Evans being entrusted with leading the club on the field. At the same time, his exploits have piqued the interest of several high profile clubs, who have been in his pursuit in the last few months.
Manchester City were heavily linked with a move for the 29-year-old in the summer transfer window, with Pep Guardiola in search of a defensive reinforcement. Heading into the winter transfer window, the manager has admitted that he is still seeking a defender, considering John Stones is a long-term absentee.
‘Do I fear losing him? Of course I do’
Jonny Evans transfer talk makes Alan Pardew uneasyhttps://t.co/3Kj0mJPtDS pic.twitter.com/eUgNi7TxBD
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) December 8, 2017
In addition to Stones’ absence, Eliaquim Mangala is only seen as a bit-part player by Guardiola while Vincent Kompany’s fitness troubles are all too well known, making Evans a viable target. Arsenal, on the other hand, have also been long-time admirers of the player’s talents, having courted him on several occasions previously.
The Gunners continue to remain in pursuit of the Northern Irishman, with Arsene Wenger eager to beef up his defensive options, despite the presence of six centre-backs in his squad. But, Arsenal and City face stiff competition in pursuit of the defender, with Manchester United now joining the race to sign him.
Evans has previously spent 11 illustrious years at Manchester United, having graduated from the club’s academy before joining West Brom in 2015. And Jose Mourinho believes Louis van Gaal made an error in judgement by selling Evans two years ago.
Like Wenger, Mourinho has no shortage of options either – the Manchester United boss still has four options at his disposal in addition to Axel Tuanzebe. But, with Eric Bailly a long-term absentee now, the need to sign a centre-back has accentuated for the manager.
So, a three-way battle for Evans seems to be brewing, with just a couple of weeks remaining before the transfer window reopens in January. And while West Brom are unwilling to let their captain depart, they will not stand in his way if they manage to net at least £30 million in exchange for his services.
The aforementioned figure will be a handsome profit for the club, and it remains to be seen if any of Evans’ suitors shell out the sum to secure his services come January.
