West Brom boss Alan Pardew admits Arsenal and Manchester City target Jonny Evans could leave club in January
29-year-old centre-back has just 18 months on his current deal at the Hawthorns, and is highly unlikely to extend his stay with the Baggies
ALAN PARDEW has revealed that Jonny Evans could leave West Brom in Janaury with Arsenal and Manchester City both keen on nabbing him.
The 29-year-old has just 18 months on his contract at the Hawthorns, and the Baggies may look to offload the centre-back after failing to persuade him to sign a new deal.
Speaking prior to West Brom's clash with Stoke on Saturday, Pardew said: "I think you have to be realistic in these situations.
"Jonny is a top player, other clubs were interested in him in the summer. We know that and he knows that, we have to be intelligent and straightforward dealing with it.
"He is under contract for West Brom. He knows he can have those conversations [about a new deal] with us.
"We will give him the best deal we can possibly go to on the financial side and length of contract, but that might not be the whole thing with Jonny."
The Gunners, along with the Citizens and Leicester all failed in securing the services of the Northern Irish international in the summer after balking at the £30million asking price.
However, given Evans' reluctance to commit to a new deal, it is believed West Brom would be willing to do business at a lower fee.
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And despite Evans featuring in 15 out of the opening 18 Premier League matches, the Baggies find themselves in 19th spot.
They are without a win in 19 games in all competitions, and haven't picked up three points since the second week of the season.
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Pardew who has drawn twice and lost twice in his four matches in charge, has cancelled the squad's Christmas party as a result of the disastrous form.
He added: "I said to the players when I arrived I don't think Christmas parties are appropriate in the position we're in.
"So the staff haven't had a party and the players haven't had a party."