Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester City are battling for West Brom centre-back Jonny Evans but could Calum Chambers yet have the decisive say?
It is unclear where Jonny Evans will be playing his football come February, but it is looking increasingly unlikely that he will still be West Bromwich Albion’s number six.
According to The Telegraph, Manchester City and Arsenal made contact with the Baggies over the weekend about signing their star centre-back, while Pep Guardiola’s Premier League leaders are understood to have opened talks with the player himself.
And the report adds that West Brom are now prepared to cash in on Evans with just 18 months of his contract remaining. Manager Alan Pardew is keen to reinvest any transfer fee in other areas of his squad ahead of what is likely to be a testing relegation battle.
Yet while the Telegraph states that former Manchester United defender Evans would prefer a move to the Etihad rather than the Emirates, it appears West Brom may benefit more from the Northern Irishman linking up with Arsene Wenger.
Because The Daily Star claims that the Baggies are keen to sign Arsenal centre-back Calum Chambers as part of any deal that would see Evans move to North London.
It is understood that Arsenal offered right-back Mathieu Debuchy as part of the potential £30 million deal, but Pardew would prefer 22-year-old Chambers, who could act as an immediate replacement for Evans at the heart of his back four.
Chambers has started Arsenal’s last three Premier League games and was penalised for a dubious handball during the 1-1 draw with West Brom on New Years’ Eve. Jay Rodriguez scored the resulting penalty.
But it remains to be seen whether Arsenal are willing to play ball and swap him for Evans.
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