Jonny Evans ready to snub Arsenal and Man City for Man Utd return
JONNY EVANS is reportedly ‘likely’ to rejoin Manchester United if he leaves West Brom.
Reuters
Evans came through the Manchester United youth team and made nearly 200 appearances for them.
But under first David Moyes and then Louis van Gaal, Evans lost his place in the starting XI and opted to join the Baggies in 2015.
The Northern Irish ace won the Players' Player of the Season award in his first season and has been a linchpin in the defence.
In the summer Manchester City and Arsenal were linked with moves for Evans but their bids were short of the valuation set by West Brom.
Do I want to lose Jonny Evans? Of course not. Do I fear losing him? Of course I do
But interest in Evans has been sparked by the upcoming January transfer window and reports suggest he could be in line for a transfer surprise.
The Times say if Evans leaves West Brom, he is more likely to join United over City and Arsenal.
Manchester United could be in for a central defender in the January transfer window with Eric Bailly set to miss the next three months due to an ankle injury.
Manager Jose Mourinho has plenty of options in defence with Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Victor Lindelof and young defender Axel Tuanzebe.
Reuters
But the experience of Evans and his familiarity with Old Trafford may push Mourinho towards the 29-year-old.
West Brom boss Alan Pardew admitted recently that he is powerless to stop Evans leaving.
"I'm never confident when you've got great players because other clubs want great players, so your best players are always vulnerable," he said.
"Jonny Evans is definitely one of them and he is our captain. Do I want to lose him? Of course not. Do I fear losing him? Of course I do.
"There was interest in him in the summer so it makes sense to stir it up. They are good headlines for the media. I understand that, we deal with it and Jonny has dealt with it in his own way. He was terrific for me."
