Jonny will stay with Albion – Gareth
GARETH McAuley doesn’t believe West Bromwich Albion will sell his centre-half partner Jonny Evans this summer.
Evans was the subject of a £10million bid from Leicester last week, who have since completed the signing of defender Harry Maguire from Hull.
Despite that, the Foxes are believed to have retained their interest in Evans, a contender to be made club captain at The Hawthorns following the exit of Darren Fletcher to Stoke.
McAuley, who is heading into his seventh season with Albion, expects Evans to remain in the Black Country and also shared his disappointment at the departure of Fletcher.
The 37-year-old does, however, support Albion’s efforts to replace the midfielder.
“Jonny’s been linked but I don’t think they will sell. They will be looking to build a team around him,” he said. “Fletch was a big, big player for us on and off the pitch.
“He was our captain and I was a little disappointed he has moved on but people come and go in football all the time and I am sure the club will work hard to try and find a suitable replacement.”
McAuley was an ever-present for the Baggies last season up until the defeat to Chelsea, when he limped off after an hour.
He missed the final couple of games – the defeats against Manchester City and Swansea – and then had to come off in the win at Azerbaijan after making his comeback for Northern Ireland.
Albion will face Czech champions Slavia Prague on July 12, while they are in Austria. They will then head to Hong Kong for the Premier League Asia Trophy before their final pre-season friendly against Deportivo La Coruna in Spain.