Arsenal are claimed to be close to agreeing a deal to bring Jonny Evans in from West Bromwich Albion this month.
The Gunners were linked with a move for the Northern Irish international in the summer, as were both Chelsea and Manchester City, but the player is believed to have opted to stay.
West Brom have been woeful so far this season however, and the player’s previous hopes of enjoying the campaign with the Baggies as their new club captain, but with the club currently lying down in 19th place and being threatened with relegation, now might be a good time to jump ship.
Man City were believed to have had an £18 Million bid turned down in the summer, with Brom holding out for £30 Million, but Arsenal are now believed to be close to deal worth £25 Million.
The defender could help bring stability to the Gunners defence which has seen so many changes so far this term, and with Laurent Koscielny’s continual problems with injuries and niggles, it would be a blessing to have a more commanding figure at the back who can play in every match.
Evans would of course be available to join our Europa League quota having not played in European competition since his time with Manchester United, and will bring some much needed experience to our side as we seek to win the competition and get back into the Champions League for next term.
Tony Pulis has previously admitted that he is aware that his star defender could quit the club in the current window, and has been preparing his side for the potential loss.
He said: “I have always thought that you would be slightly naive in your job if you didn’t try to cover all the barriers here, the options that might happen and might not happen. So there is a scenario that Jonny Evans might move. For sure I have looked at that.
“There is a scenario that Jonny doesn’t move. There is a scenario that someone else moves.
“What happens if we get another injury to let’s say Chris Brunt, then I have him, [James] Morrison and [Nacer] Chadli missing, how is that going to work?
“I have to cover all those and with [technical director] Nicky Hammond, someone I know well and who is brilliant at his job, I am pretty sure we have it all covered. If we do some business in January we will be doing it for the right reasons.”
Would Evans be a clever signing for our struggling defence? At 30 does his £25 Million seem inflated even in this day and age of crazy fees?
Pat J