Both Manchester United’s Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans of West Brom will cost £20m – so which should Leicester pick?
Leicester City caretaker manager Craig Shakespeare
Leicester City are still on the hunt for a central defensive partner for Harry Maguire after the BBC reported they signed him from Hull City for £17m.
According to the Leicester Mercury the choice seems to have come down to two former Manchester United teammates and which one they would rather spend £20m on.
After an initial £10m bid for Jonny Evans was rejected, West Bromwich Albion have now said it will cost double that before they will entertain the idea. The same report says United’s Chris Smalling will cost the same. So which to choose?
Jonny Evans
West Brom under Tony Pulis are built on defensive resolve and only the Premier League’s top eight conceded less in 2016/17 – something Evans played a key part in.
That said, £20m for a defender who will be 30 next birthday is a big gamble; one Leicester are perhaps not willing to take considering they only valued him at half that themselves.
Bournemouth’s Lewis Grabban in action with West Brom’s Jonny Evans
Chris Smalling
As the Independent reports, Jose Mourinho is willing to let Smalling leave Old Trafford after signing Victor Lindelof from Benfica and while £20m has been quoted, there will surely be wiggle room for an unwanted player?
The 27-year-old is two years Evans’ junior as well, although the fact he earns close to £100,000-a-week with the Red Devils could make his wage demands a stumbling block.
Manchester United’s Chris Smalling in action with Stoke City’s Xherdan Shaqiri
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