Pep Guardiola’s plans for strengthening his squad continued apace with Manchester City opening talks with West Bromwich Albion over Jonny Evans, claims the Daily Mail.
The 30-year-old Northern Ireland international was targeted by City last summer but the move failed to materialise. Tony Pulis, the-then Baggies manager, commented that it was Arsenal who showed genuine interest in the central defender.
While the Gunners still hold a watching brief on the former Manchester United player, it is the runaway Premier League leaders who seized the initiative.
After error-riven performances from Mangala and Stones at the weekend were repeated in last night’s narrow 2 – 1 win over Bristol City, Guardiola is convinced his defence needs shoring up as they challenge for a fantastic quadruple.
Evans contract expires in June 2019 and is expected to fetch a fee of around £20m, a drop of 50% on the sums demanded by West Brom last summer.
Arsène Wenger admitted at a press conference last week that Arsenal could not compete with Manchester City financially but insisted the Gunners were a genuine option of footballing grounds.
Their own defensive woes are well-documented and Evans would bring a no-nonsense attitude which is sorely missed at the Emirates. Whether the guarantee of first-team football is competition against challenging for trophies on four fronts remains to be seen.
