West Brom preparing for departure of Manchester City target

Alan Pardew has conceded West Brom are preparing for Jonny Evans’ departure in January as Arsenal and Manchester City circle.

City failed to get a deal for Evans over the line in the summer but have been given renewed hope in securing the services of the former Manchester United defender.

Pep Guardiola is keen to sign a fourth centre-back option in January, which will allow Eliaquim Mangala to leave, and City have been linked with another attempt to sign Evans in recent weeks.

The Premier League leaders could face competition from Arsenal in January, as the Gunners also have a long-standing interest in the Northern Ireland international.

Evans was expected to sign a bumper new West Brom deal after staying at the club in the summer but has held out in hope of securing a move to a club plying their trade in Europe, which Pardew has conceded is on the cards.

“I’m never confident when you’ve got great players, because other clubs want great players so your best players are always vulnerable,” The Daily Mirror quote Pardew as saying.

“Jonny Evans is certainly one of them, and he’s our captain. Do I want to lose him? Course not. Do I fear losing him? Course I do.

“But I think we will be fine and set for January to react to any situation, whether it be Evans or whatever we have to do or what I feel we have to do.

“We are trying to be as professional as we can. The Premier League levels are so high across the board that you have to try and get as much advantage as you can.

“Obviously the earlier those talks the better, and we have had those talks this week.”

Since the start of last season, only Bournemouth defender Simon Francis (199) has won possession in the defensive third more times than Evans (197) in the Premier League.