Everton are in the hunt for Jonny Evans’ signature next summer and West Brom could do away with the 30-year-old for a price as low as £3m. Who knew that Albion’s £20m valuation will be reduced to such a low figure? Everyone!
Arsene Wenger called their bluff in the January window and refused to part with anything more than half of the asking price. And now the Toffees could get a run-of-the-mill price for one of Premier League’s most experienced defenders.
Jonny Evans is not just any name in the England top-flight. He is a 3-time Premier League winner, 3-time Carabo Cup winner, 5-time Community Shield winner and one-time FIFA Club World Cup winner. All registered during his 9-year spell with Manchester United.
Evans was highly regarded in the books of Alex Ferguson, who fielded the Northern Irishman ahead of top centre-backs like Rio Ferdinand and Scott Brown on major occasions. The 30-year-old has been trained and developed at the Red Devils academy. He even picked up a EFL Championship title, while away on loan to Sunderland.
The reason why so much hype surrounded his name is because of the strict discipline he brings to the team backline. Evans is well accustomed to the pace of the English game and can solidify the defence by appearing regularly in the centre-back role.
After Alan Pardew’s departure, Albion have sacrificed the back three formation and have opted to go with Ahmed Hegazi and Craig Dawson in defence. Evans no longer is a key figure in their chase for Premier League survival and this has opened the doors wide for a probable club exit.
Everton will be lucky to get someone like Evans in the team especially with the defensive issues they have faced all season. Eliaquim Mangala has proven to be a flop signing and the Toffees are expected to send him back to Manchester City after this season.
Ashley Williams has also struggled to replicate his heroics back from his Swansea days. An young Rob Holgate and a veteran Phil Jagielka is not enough to stop elite sides from running over the defence next season.
Ramiro Funes Mori is still a liability in the big games and Michael Keane is the only established option. Evans could more than fill the role of the leader in the Everton squad and restablish their fight for a European qualification spot.
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Getting him would be a no brainer if some of the mentioned names make their out of Goodison next summer.
