Danny Simpson has questioned why Arsenal didn’t opt to sign Johnny Evans when they had the chance to do so, as he told Stadium Astro.
The former Premier League player pointed out how there was ‘Arsenal interest’ in the now-thriving Leicester player, who he says was ‘available for £3 million’ to the London club before his move to the King Power in 2018.
Whilst Arsenal’s performances have improved of late, it is quite clear that they will need to dip into the market for some central-defenders when the season ends and the transfer window opens.
Simpson, who has played with Evans at Leicester, believes that his former teammate would have been a ‘really good signing’ for the Gunners.
“When we have discussed Arsenal, it’s that leadership at the back,” Simpson told Evans. “I’ll mention him because he’s a Leicester player. I don’t even know what happened with the Jonny Evans situation.
“I remember there was Arsenal interest in the January transfer window and then in the summer, he was available for £3 million. Someone with that experience, he has won Premier Leagues at Manchester United.
“I was delighted that he came to Leicester and you see how he has been performing. He has probably been one of their best centre-backs this season. I think a signing like that would have been a really good signing for Arsenal and they never seem to go for that kind of signing. Evans is a leader, good on the ball and he can defend.”
Evans has perhaps been one of the best performing defenders in the Premier League this season, but he did have a tough time against Arsenal themselves last time out.
But, on the bigger scale, the Foxes are potentially heading for Champions League football next season and Evans has played a big part in that.
Added with that, he has won Premier League titles before and does seem the type of on-field character that Arsenal needed.
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