LIVE
...

Follow us on

Soccer News

West Brom fending off Arsenal interest in Evans could keep them up

Alan Pardew, Manager of West Bromwich Albion looks on prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion at Etihad ...
Follow us on Google Discover

Arsenal and Manchester City both wanted Jonny Evans but West Brom have managed to keep their star defender.

Jonny Evans of West Bromwich Albion takes a throw in during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Brighton and Hove Albion at The Hawthorns on January 13, 2018 in West...Jonny Evans of West Bromwich Albion takes a throw in during the Premier League match against Brighton and Hove Albion.

West Bromwich Albion rejected a late offer from Arsenal for Jonny Evans, reports Sky Sports, to ensure that despite another transfer window of speculation they have retained the services of their captain.

As the BBC outlined at the time, Manchester City also had a bid turned down over the summer and the current Premier League leaders retained an interest into January.

Matt Phillips of West Bromwich Albion shoots while under pressure from Aymeric Laporte of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion...Matt Phillips of West Bromwich Albion shoots while under pressure from Aymeric Laporte of Manchester City during the Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium.

In the end City turned their attention to Aymeric Laporte instead and signed the centre-back from Athletic Club, but the Gunners made one final attempt to land Evans on deadline day.

Fending off the interest from two of the biggest clubs in the English top flight is no mean feat for the Baggies, especially as they currently sit bottom of the table.

Alan Pardew, Manager of West Bromwich Albion looks on prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion at Etihad Stadium on January 31, 2018 in Manchester,...Alan Pardew, manager of West Bromwich Albion, looks on prior to the Premier League match against Manchester City.

If they go down then Evans can reportedly leave for just £3m, but keeping the 30-year-old greatly boosts their chances of avoiding the drop as he is so important both defensively and as a leader.

Getting Daniel Sturridge on loan from Liverpool this month could be seen as something of a coup, but retaining their skipper is West Brom’s best piece of business.

West Bromwich Albion's English striker Daniel Sturridge applauds supporters on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion at...West Bromwich Albion striker Daniel Sturridge applauds supporters on the pitch after the English Premier League football match against Manchester City.