The West Bromwich Albion defender is said to have been a target for Manchester City and Arsenal last month.
Jonny Evans’ ‘placid temperament’ cost the West Bromwich Albion defender a ‘big move’ to Manchester City, writes the Sun’s Neil Ashton [2nd February, page 58].
Ashton claims that, instead of ‘kicking down the doors’ to quit West Brom, Evans gave City the impression that he ‘wasn’t fussed’ about joining them or not.
City eventually moved on from Evans’ landing Athletic Club’s Aymeric Laporte on the penultimate day of the January transfer window, as the Northern Irishman stayed put despite reports of interest from other clubs.
West Brom boss Alan Pardew has since confirmed [via the Daily Mirror] his side rejected a £12 million offer from Arsenal for Evans.
And the Baggies, who are now bottom of the Premier League and four points adrift of safety, could live to regret the decision if they do end up going down.
According to the Daily Mirror, a relegation clause in Evans’s contract means he would then be available at four times less than Arsenal’s alleged offer.
Evans is a product of Manchester United’s academy, and was with the Red Devils for the best part of 20 years before his 2015 move to West Brom.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
