The reports are claiming that Arsenal and Manchester City both sides will be eager to make a move for this former Manchester United defender, Jonny Evans. Arsene Wenger is not giving up on his quest of bringing in a quality defender to the Emirates in the winter transfer window. The Gunners currently sit in fourth place in the league and will face stiff competition from Chelsea and Liverpool for a place in next year’s Champions League. For that they need to sort out a few defensive issues to ensure that they make it in the top 4.
Having missed out on the Champions League this season, Wenger has reinforced his striking options by bringing in Alexandre Lacazette from Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyon with a club record signing and has also tried to secure the services of German left-back Sead Kolasinac. But the French manager still believes that his team requires strength in depth.
With Per Mertesacker closing on his date to retire at the end of next season and taking on a mentor’s role at the club, Arsenal will have to rely on Laurent Koscielny in the central defense. But the 32-year-old French defender has a constant injury worry looming over his head which could not able to prolong his career for too much longer.
That’s where Northern Irish center-back Jonny Evans comes into play. The 29-year-old defender spent a lot of time on loan during his nine-year spell at Manchester United. He spent a season at Royal Antwerp in 2006 and two respective seasons at Sunderland. On his return to Manchester United, he wasn’t able to cement his place in the starting eleven which forced him a move to West Bromwich Albion in 2015.
When the West Bromwich Albion manager Alan Pardew was asked about the possible move, he said :
“I have always thought that you would be slightly naive in your job if you didn’t try to cover all the barriers here, the options that might happen and might not happen,”
“I have to cover all those and with [technical director] Nicky Hammond, someone I know well and who is brilliant at his job, I am pretty sure we have it all covered. If we do some business in January we will be doing it for the right reasons.”
Evans is a strong centre-back who has more than enough experience of playing in the Premier League. He was in great form last season helping West Brom to finish at 10th on the table. But he hasn’t been at his best for the club this season which has hinted a possible exit from the Hawthorns by the end of the transfer window.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are also keen at swooping in for Evans as they have injury problems of their own. City are currently in pole position in the Premier League and are going through a great run of form over the past few months. But injuries of John Stones and Vincent Kompany could seriously dent their chances of winning the Premier League. With Mangala still not a convincing defender in the mind of the Spanish manager a move for Evans could be possible in the Transfer Window.
Arsenal tried to lure Evans to North London in the summer but failed with a £25m bid as it was rejected by West Brom. Now, however, Albion manager Alan Pardew is reportedly having indoor conversations with Evans regarding his future. Only time can tell where the fallen United star will move in this transfer window.
