Pulis: We will sell Evans... for the right price
Tony Pulis says it is ‘ absolutely crazy’ to claim West Bromwich Albion will be able to resist Manchester City’s approach for Jonny Evans if an ‘enormous’ bid comes in.
The Albion head coach said every player has a price and told City to up their offer from £18million, a shift from the club’s stance that the 29-year-old is not for sale.
City are prepared to turn their back on a move if negotiations become protracted, with West Brom holding out for around £30m.
City have other options, including Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson.
Pulis wants to keep Evans and said the northern ireland centre back is happy, but he is a major doubt for today’s game at Burnley with the hamstring injury that kept him out against Bournemouth.
Pulis said he believes Evans’ injury is genuine and insisted he would not act up if the move failed to materialise.
‘He had a chance to go to Arsenal last year,’ Pulis said. ‘it didn’t affect him in any way.
‘you could say Manchester City are different because they will be hoping to win the title, the Champions league, and the FA Cup. it is difficult.
‘They’ve made an offer that we’ve turned down. Every player is for sale at the right price, it is absolutely crazy to say that a team like West Brom won’t sell players if people are going to put an enormous amount of money in front of you.
‘it is market forces. We don’t want to sell him, or need to sell him, we are not desperate to get the money in, so it would have to be a very, very good offer. Then we would sit down and talk to Jonny about the situation.
‘it is irrelevant whether he wants to stay or doesn’t want to stay. The most important thing is everyone understands he is one of our best players. That is what we’ll try to do, keep him here.
‘Jonny’s fine, he understands the situation. until all parties agree nothing will happen. He is happy here, he’s just been made captain.’
Pulis said City’s move is evidence that the transfer window should shut before the Premier league season starts.
He suggested liverpool’s struggle to keep star man Philippe Coutinho amid interest from Barcelona, as well as Arsenal’s experience with Chilean forward Alexis sanchez, who is refusing to sign an extension to a contract that expires next summer, will ensure a change is made next season.
next month the 20 Premier league clubs will discuss whether to bring deadline day forward from next season.
‘What it proves is that the transfer market should close before the season starts,’ said Pulis.
‘it’s been a disease that’s grown, people have stretched deals to the last minute and unsettled people.
‘Every club does it. The good thing this year is that there are a couple of clubs at the top of the tree struggling to keep hold of their players, so they now know what other teams have to go through every summer.
‘i don’t think we will have a case next year where it goes beyond the start of the season, definitely. That will be better for everyone.’