CITY TO DEAL IN DELPH
STEF SNUBS REDS
WEST BROM are preparing to make Jonny Evans the highest-paid player in the club’s history – but want assurances he intends to stay at the Hawthorns.
The Baggies’ hierarchy are looking to push the Northern Ireland ace beyond the £100,000-a-week mark – potentially heading towards a £5million-a-year deal – overtaking team-mate Grzegorz Krychowiak in the pay stakes.
Courted
Evans, 29, is being courted by Manchester City and Arsenal and will cash in on their interest if he wants to – as long as both meet his club’s £30m asking price.
He has just 18 months left on his current deal and while West Brom are anxious to keep him, they also want to know if he will work under LIVERPOOL’S search for a new centre-back will not end at LAZIO’S Stefan de Vrij.
The Dutchman has been on the Reds’ radar for more than a year and is seen as an alternative to his fellow countryman Virgil van Dijk.
But De Vrij, one of the outstanding performers at the 2014 World Cup, is the subject of a £25million bid from INTER MILAN – and has no desire yet to quit Serie A for the Premier League. Alan Pardew. If not, Evans’ move will be reluctantly sanctioned by the Hawthorns’ bosses – money that will be made available to ensure they remain in the top flight.
West Brom are quietly confident they can reach an agreement as long as Evans’ head is not turned, particularly by a move back to Manchester where he started his career with United.
City chief Pep Guardiola confirmed last week he can no longer make guarantees over Vincent Kompany’s long- term fitness.
And with Eliaquim Mangala still having a lot to do to impress, centrehalf remains the one area of the pitch where the City boss has a potential weakness.
Evans could be in a position to press for major honours, which is why West Brom want to find out their player’s plans before committing extra money to a new deal. FABIAN DELPH is in line for a new deal at MANCHESTER CITY – if he can stay fit until the end of the season. The England international (left) has impressed Pep Guardiola after standing in as an emergency left-back and BRISTOL CITITITITITYY are lockedarearelocked lock d in talks with midfielder Josh Brownhill. The 21-year-old is an integral of par part Lee Johnson Johnson’s s side – but deal his expires in the summer. RobinsRoRbins Robins The do have an option for e extraa tra an 1 12 months h on hi his contract,contrac, but are desperate to extend hisyhisstayy y with interest fro from Bournemouth,urnemouth, Leicester, dBurnleyBurnle Burnley and NeN eNeN NeNeNNeNeNeN wcastltle.wcastle. as l e. is set to reap the reward. Delph, 28, who made his name in central midfield, has transformed himself into a defender in the wake of Benjamin Mendy’s absence.
But the one big question mark that the club has is over the durability of the former Aston Villa man.
Delph’s career has been blighted by a succession of problems – mainly with his knees – and that still plagues him.
However, his emergence means if Guardiola fails to strengthen during the January transfer window and Mendy returns he will not be left short.
Manchester City are hoping to sign a stopper in the New Year with West Brom’s Jonny Evans the most likely recruit.