Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly joined rivals Arsenal in the race to sign Jonny Evans, so how can they beat them to the West Brom captain?
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur could be set to go head-to-head for West Bromwich Albion captain Jonny Evans this summer after the Telegraph reported the latter has joined the chase.
Evans will be available for just £3m due to a release clause in his contract that will be activated if West Brom, who are currently bottom of the Premier League table and ten points from safety, get relegated.
The Gunners have held a long-term interest in the 30-year-old and had a bid for the defender rejected during the January transfer window.
Manchester City were also keen but have since signed Aymeric Laporte instead, while Spurs have now joined the race due to concerns Toby Alderweireld could leave at the end of the season.
Champions League key?
Assuming the Baggies go down and the two North London rivals pay Evans’ buyout fee, it will then be up to the Northern Ireland international himself to choose his next destination.
Money won’t be an issue at the Emirates Stadium, with Sky Sports reporting how Mesut Ozil was recently made the highest paid player at the club with a new £350,000-a-week deal.
Tottenham cannot compete with these sort of finances due to a wage cap, with the Daily Mail outling how Harry Kane is their current biggest earner on £110,000-a-week.
However, where they can trump their rivals is with the offer of Champions League football, with Spurs currently fourth and in a qualification spot, 13 points ahead of Arsenal in sixth whose only realistic hope of reaching the competition is by winning the Europa League.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
