Amid interest from Leicester, West Brom are prepared to pay Jonny Evans £100,000-a-week.
West Ham United’s Michail Antonio in action with West Bromwich Albion’s Jonny Evans
West Bromwich Albion are about to offer Jonny Evans the chance to become their most highly paid player of all time with a bumper £100,000-a-week contract.
That is according to the Sun, who also say that the new deal will be across four years, meaning Evans will earn £20m should he stay at the Hawthorns for its entirety.
This move to tie the centre-back down with the Baggies came after the Leicester Mercury reported a £10m bid from Leicester City was rejected.
Tony Pulis already has a threadbare squad at West Brom, with Evans and Gareth McAuley the only two central defenders currently on the books, and is determined not to lose any more key players.
Yet are the Midlands club being too reckless with this offer as a result? The Northern Ireland international will be 30 next birthday and while veterans like 36-year-old McAuley have been an asset to the club, there is no guaranteeing Evans will do the same well into his 30s.
West Brom’s Gareth McAuley after the match
Not only that but it is a huge financial risk to pay out so much to one player. It sets a precedent and other key figures at the club, as well as incoming transfers, will expect to be offered similar deals.
After the departure of Darren Fletcher, Pulis understandably does not want to lose any more leaders this summer, but he should not simply throw caution to the wind either as it could prove to be a very expensive mistake.
West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
