ALAN PARDEW ACCEPTS it may be difficult for West Brom to retain the services of club captain Jonny Evans during the January transfer window as he nears the last year of his contract.
Evans was strongly linked with a move to Manchester City before the start of the season and Pep Guardiola has hinted he will be in the market for another defender next month.
Arsenal are among the other clubs reportedly interested in the Northern Ireland centre-back, who has started 15 Premier League games for West Brom this season.
West Brom manager Pardew remains hopeful Evans can be persuaded to sign a contract extension to commit his future to the club despite the ongoing transfer speculation.
“I think you have to be realistic in these situations,” Pardew told reporters on Thursday.
“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.”
West Brom, winless since August in all competitions, have scored one goal in four league games since Pardew was appointed as the successor to Tony Pulis at The Hawthorns.
Pardew’s men travel to Stoke City in the Premier League on Saturday, with Matt Phillips and Nacer Chadli in line to return from injury.
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Delighted for him! Must feel on top of the world, with all the abuse he gets too
Brilliant from him, onwards and upwards
Bouncing back when down. That’s what it’s all about!!
Good player loads of movement
Congratulations Adam.
Well done.
Up Cork!
As an Everton fan, it’s another dreadful result, but delighted for Adam Idah. Hopefully this is the catalyst to more goals and the end of the loan move rumours.
Will Rafa still be in charge by Monday or will it be Big Dunc?
@Aidan Prior: rafa, like Mourinho is yesterdays man.
@Brian Dunne: yip. Only good thing he did was bring in two wingers with pace.
@Aidan Prior: He’s been sacked. Announcement tonight.
@Fergus O’Connor: where did you hear that?
Moshiri pays the wages so he can appoint who he wants, but obviously he doesn’t understand the fabric of the club when he appointed Benitez. I am all for supporting the manager, but some of his decisions lately have been baffling. Rondon is no better than Tosun, neither should be Everton players. Coleman has been struggling any game I have watched, he gave the ball away cheaply for Idah goal again today. Playing him left back and on right side of 3 centre backs was crazy by Rafa. Kenny/Paterson surely have to play. We need Pickford, Mina, Gomez, Townsend, Allen, Richie, etc to step up now and get out out of this hole, we need to get DCL fit and sharp, we need to stop conceding the bloody first goal all the time. If I could walk away I would but I can’t as I’m in love. Nil Satis Nil Optimum