Arsene Wenger has hinted that Arsenal are interested in West Bromwich Albion defender Jonny Evans but admits he’ll lose a bidding war with Manchester City should Pep Guardiola’s rumoured interest be true.
Both City and the Gunners have had previous approaches for the Northern Ireland international rebuffed in the last couple of years, however, with Alan Pardew needing funds to reshape his relegation-threatened squad it now sounds like the Baggies could be tempted to sell for around £25 million.
“I’ve nothing to say,” was Wenger’s response when asked about a bid for Evans.
“All that would only be philosophical to talk about it. As long as we don’t have any agreement with anybody, I believe the best is not to talk.”
On whether City’s potential interest could prove the undoing of any potential deal, the boss added: “Look, to see off any interest of any other club, yes. I don’t know if Man City is in for anybody. I don’t know what their policy is.
“Financially, if the decision comes to finances with Manchester City, we know we will be second best. That is well known.”
There have been suggestions that Mathieu Debuchy could be used as a carrot to lure the Baggies into selling Evans to Arsenal. Alas, it’s a carrot that hasn’t played much football and currently costs a lot to maintain on a weekly basis. So not a great carrot really.