West Brom boss Alan Pardew challenges Arsenal and Manchester City to bid for Jonny Evans ahead of transfer deadline: 'If they ring up this weekend they'll get a nicer response'

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Alan Pardew has challenged Arsenal and Manchester City to make a bid for Jonny Evans this weekend or face rejection.

The West Bromwich Albion manager said neither interested club had yet lodged an offer, and he does not want the situation to drag into deadline day.

Pardew is not afraid to cup-tie Evans by starting the centre-back at Liverpool tonight, adding: 'We've had a couple of enquiries about what we'd be looking for. The answer has been, "We're not going to tell you. Make a bid and we'll gauge".

Alan Pardew has challenged Arsenal and Manchester City to make a bid for Jonny Evans

'If they ring up late Tuesday they're probably not going to get the response they want. If they ring today, tomorrow, they'll get a nicer response.'

West Brom placed a £30million valuation on Evans last summer but are prepared to accept a lesser fee this month. 

Evans will come up against £75m Virgil Van Dijk at Anfield but Pardew accepted the Northern Irishman's price is affected by various factors.

Pardew is not afraid to cup-tie Evans by playing him against Liverpool on Saturday night

'Every criteria is different, age, experience, his contract,' Pardew said. 'Jonny's got 18 months left so it makes him more vulnerable. 

'Having said that, centre halves are in their prime from 29-34, when they really know their game, and their fitness levels are strong. That's what Jonny is in.'

Pardew said he would utilise any money to fund a signing of genuine Premier League pedigree and enquiries have been made on Troy Deeney.

West Brom have not had any offers for Evans (left) but would consider selling at the right price

'It needs to be a player of substance, a recognised talent that has achieved certain criteria that is going to affect the dressing room,' said Pardew. 

'If I brought in a young player, let's say from a foreign club that the players didn' t know, I don't know what impact that would have other than his own individual performance. I'm looking for more than that.'

If Evans was to leave Pardew wants to reinvest the money and has enquired about Troy Deeney