West Bromwich Albion potentially face the risk of losing Jonny Evans for a cut-price fee of just £3m in the summer. The Northern Irishman joined the Baggies from Manchester United for £8m back in 2015, and he has since evolved into the go-to man in the Baggies defence.
Evans has been linked with a number of elite clubs this month including Manchester City and Arsenal, and it is suggested that the Baggies could be tempted to do business before the close of the winter transfer window. According to BBC Sport, the west Midlands side could potentially find themselves making a hefty loss on Evans, should they prolong his exit until the summer.
The centre-back is currently valued at the Hawthorns at around £23m, and they may take a £20m beating on that sum, if they fail to preserve their Premier League status. Evans presently has a £3m relegation release clause on his contract, and the club could lose their leading performer in a similar way to Jermain Defoe’s departure from Sunderland.
Alan Pardew has repeatedly stressed that he would like to keep Evans’ services for the campaign but reports suggest that the club could be tempted to offload their club-captain this month in order to bring in a new striker, who can make the difference in the relegation tussle.
Despite Evans’ involvement, the Baggies have been in the drop zone over the past few weeks, and their distinct lack of goals has hampered them with just one victory in 22 league games. West Brom face the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea in two of their next three meetings, and Pardew faces a tricky situation in regards to Evans before the transfer deadline.
Pep Guardiola’s side are currently leading the race to sign the ex-United graduate whilst Leicester City and Everton are also monitoring the developments. Arsenal, however, seem to have switch their interest elsewhere as they close in on a deal for Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund.