West Ham United and Arsenal were both interested in West Bromwich Albion captain Jonny Evans in January.
West Ham have turned a corner under David Moyes and look set to secure Premier League survival this season although the same cannot be said for West Brom.
The Hammers reached 30 points with a 2-0 win over Watford last time out, some turnaround given the East Londoners were languishing in the relegation zone with just nine points when the Scot took over in November.
West Ham were linked with a move for Baggies skipper Evans in the January window, as reported by the likes of The Mirror.
Manchester City, Everton and Arsenal were also linked with big bids with Arsene Wenger seemingly in the box seat heading into the final weeks of the transfer window.
The Gunners dragged their heels, though, and despite being publicly warned by Alan Pardew that any bid for Evans would have to be made in time for him to find a replacement, Wenger still went in at the 11th hour.
The offer, thought to be in the region of £12m, was immediately turned down by Albion, who were looking for a figure nearer £20m.
“It wasn’t for lack of warning to Arsenal and to all the clubs,” Alan Pardew said at the time.
But Arsenal’s loss could be West Ham’s gain come the summer.
It’s understood that there is a clause in the contract of Evans that would allow him to leave for just £3m if – as looks increasingly likely – Albion are relegated from the Premier League.
With Jose Fonte set to be sold to Chinese side Dalian Yifang, Moyes will undoubtedly be looking to add experience and quality to his backline with Evans potentially the bargain of the summer should the Baggies drop.
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