Foxes' £23million Bid For Jonny Evans Rejected As City Look Favorites To Sign Defender

West Bromwich Albion reject Leicester City’s £23million bid for Jonny Evans, but the Foxes are preparing a fresh bid to join Manchester City in hunt for the defender

Former Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has been a prime target for a number of clubs this summer. But West Bromwich Albion are adamant that they want to keep the 29-year old at the Hawthorns.

The Baggies’ reluctance to sell Evans was clear when they rejected a £23million offer from Leicester City, as the club stated that the price was way below their valuation of the player.

But as per reports in The Sun, Foxes boss Craig Shakespeare isn’t giving up on the Irishman, as Leicester go for take-two with a fresh bid. Meanwhile, the deep pockets of Manchester City are also in the hunt for Evans, as Pep Guardiola has been chasing the defender all summer.

Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola / AFP PHOTO / Paul ELLIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) — Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola is looking to bullet proof his team (Photo credit: AFP/Getty Images)

Baggies boss Tony Pulis has maintained that they will not sell Evans, but Guardiola is sure to splash the cash in the final stages of this transfer window. Having already acquired the most expensive back-line, the Spaniard is looking to bullet proof his chances of winning the title in the event of any injuries.

West Brom have announced Jonny Evans as their new captain in July, but he wasn’t even in the squad for their 1-1 draw against Stoke, and is yet to make his first appearance of the season owing to an injury. But the Citizens definitely have a head start to acquire Evans’ services, because, while Leicester are still in the race, it is hard to imagine the Foxes making an offer that West Brom cannot refuse.

And although the Baggies want him to stay, it is no secret that Manchester City will arrive knocking on the door with big suitcases of cash, and how long West Brom will be able to resist that kind of money remains to be seen.

But Jonny Evans is steering clear of the noise and is only focusing on returning to full fitness. Despite the speculation, the Irishman has displayed great professionalism and has claimed that he remains loyal to his current club commitments.