Thursday 21 December 2017 15:54, UK
Alan Pardew says West Brom have yet to receive a bid for Jonny Evans and is willing to offer the defender an improved contract.
Manchester City are expected to renew their interest in the Northern Ireland international next month, with Arsenal and his former club Manchester United also linked with the 29-year-old.
Pardew says West Brom aren't thinking of cashing in on Evans so he has money to spend during the transfer window, but believes there are other issues at stake which might result in him leaving The Hawthorns.
"You have to be realistic in these situations," said the Baggies boss. "Jonny Evans is a top player and there were other clubs who were interested in him in the summer - I know that and so does he.
He's under contract with West Brom and that's how it remains until such time as there's a bid that makes it any different.
"We all have to be intelligent and straightforward about how we deal with it. He's under contract with West Brom and that's how it remains until such time as there's a bid that makes it any different.
"When you talk about a new contract, he knows he can have those conversations with us. If we can keep Jonny, of course we'll give him the deal we could possibly go to in terms of length and the financial side.
"But that might not be the whole thing for Jonny. I'm just trying to get him in a place where he performs well under this scrutiny.
"He's been up for the battle for us and hasn't caused me any kind of negativity that sometimes players in that position can do.
"On my report he gets a big tick, and in terms of a new contract it's a big tick too. But that's for Jonny's agent and the club to come to."
Pardew also spoke of his disappointment for Paul Clement, who became the sixth Premier League manager to be sacked on Wednesday, the latest dismissal of what he believes is a "worrying trend".
"I feel sorry for Paul because he did an excellent job when he first went in there," said Pardew.
"Obviously the balance isn't quite right in the team - he lost some big players in the summer. It's difficult for him. Who's to say he wouldn't have come through that period.
"As it is with the media and everything, it builds a head of steam and unfortunately the board have decided that it wasn't his time.
"It is worrying but in a way it's also understandable, given the pressure that chairmen and boards are under."
