Manchester City are growing increasingly confident of their ability to land former Manchester United defender Jonny Evans, who is looking to exit West Brom
According to ESPN and their sources, Manchester City are confident in pursuit of Jonny Evans. The former Manchester United defender’s days at the Hawthorns look numbered, with the Citizens, as well as the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United all looking to pry him away from West Brom in January.
Jonny Evans has had a commendable career to date. The Manchester United academy graduate made his mark at Old Trafford, slowly gaining in stature before he was shipped to West Brom by the then Red Devils boss Louis Van Gaal. The player, now the leader at West Brom, had a bit of a hiccup in the summer, with links emerging of Arsenal and Manchester City’s interest.
The entire saga saw Evans being benched by Tony Pulis, who later reinstated the player slowly. But, the deteriorating level of displays from Baggies saw the experienced Premier League manager receive his marching orders. In came Alan Pardew, and with the advent of a new boss, Evans has become indispensable once again.
However, Pardew himself seems resigned to lose the 30-year-old, in case bids start coming in for the Manchester United academy graduate. While he has iterated the desire to keep hold of his captain, he might also be aware that a windfall from his sale could come of great use in order to reinforce the other ‘affected’ areas in need of fresh faces.
Happy Birthday Jonny Evans (30), but will he still be a #WBA player at the end of he transfer window? pic.twitter.com/j76O7TvAWX
— scoutingforgoals (@scoutinforgoal5) January 3, 2018
Manchester City do look primed to make a move in January. Pep Guardiola was content to not land Evans in the summer transfer window. But, the injury to John Stones combined with Vincent Kompany’s continuous bouts with fitness issues has seen the City boss look for January additions to the central defence.
Apart from Evans, the current Premier League leaders have been linked with Inigo Martinez and others. But, Evans, with his experience and familiarity of the league might just be the best short-term option for Manchester City. Also, the former Manchester United defender will also be eligible to represent Guardiola & co. in the Champions League – an important point to consider.
While Arsenal and Everton are also interested in Evans, there is a general air of expectancy that a bid around the £30 million mark will see Manchester City land their target. The deal does seem probable and beneficial to all the parties involved.
Granted West Brom will lose a leader but they have many experienced players in their squad to offset the loss and the fee recouped will go a long way in aiding their bid for survival in the Premier League.
Manchester City on the other hand, will be able to add an experienced leader at the back, one who has vast experience in the league and is also eligible to represent them in the Champions League as well.
This might just be the only incoming we see at Manchester City, at least as far as the first-team is concerned, despite the injury to Gabriel Jesus.
