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Why no-one should be surprised that Man City want to buy Jonny Evans

Jonny Evans
Jonny Evans is wanted by Man City Credit: GETTY IMAGES

Pep Guardiola's bid to sign West Bromwich Albion captain Jonny Evans has been held up as the latest example of transfer window madness.

There have been headlines suggesting this is a "shock move", another clear sign of a manager losing his marbles as desperation grips like wet rope ahead of the transfer window closing on August 31.

There was also widespread bemusement that West Brom had the temerity to dismiss a bid supposedly as low as £18 million.

But why the surprise? Why the snobbery that somebody as astute as Guardiola should be scratching around bargain bins in the Midlands for cheap deals on average players?

Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola has made an opening bid of £18 million for Jonny Evans Credit: GETTY IMAGES

This is Jonny Evans, a highly-experienced Northern Ireland international, a former Manchester United defender with three Premier League winners' medals. Since joining West Brom for just £6m, in what is surely one of the shrewdest buys of the last few years, he has been outstanding, performing at a consistently high level. He has made it look so easy at times, drawing comparisons from older supporters to Baggies legends such as John Wile and Ally Robertson. The only things missing at times have been the carpet slippers and cigar.

Evans was voted Player of the Year after his first season and was equally brilliant in the last campaign, playing at centre-half, left-back and even as a defensive midfielder.

Should we really be surprised that Guardiola is now targeting the 29-year-old? No, of course not. Perhaps the biggest surprise is that Evans has not been more of a permanent fixture in the gossip columns this summer.

He could easily play for any of the top-four clubs, with his positional sense, reading of the game and ability on the ball making him tailor-made for Guardiola. John Stones, signed for £47.5 million last year, could learn a lot off him.

There has, of course, been interest in the past since Pulis pinched the pocket of Louis van Gaal, who was quite happy to let Evans go two years ago. Arsenal were successfully swatted away last year, while Leicester have seen two bids rejected earlier in this window.

Guardiola's opening gambit of £18m plus add-ons was turned down and the message from the Hawthorns is very clear: Evans is not for sale. No amount of money will persuade Albion to do business, sources say, and he is indispensable.

However, this is Manchester City (despite Evans' association of 18 years with the club down the road) and the lure of Champions League football undoubtedly presents a headache for player and club.

Jonny Evans
Jonny Evans was schooled in the art of defending at Manchester United Credit: GETTY IMAGES

We can expect this to become a developing story as the deadline approaches, a nightmare scenario for Pulis whose bench on Saturday against Bournemouth included players with milk teeth.

Evans missed that game through an alleged injury and Pulis' claim that "we'll take his word for it" now looks nothing like a throwaway comment in light of recent events.

With my Midlands correspondent hat firmly placed on my bald bonce, it would be brilliant if he was to stay. He has been a joy to watch and brief highlights on Match of the Day on a Saturday night do not present an accurate reflection of his performances. But City's interest is serious and another bid is expected in the next few days.

Whether it happens or not, one thing is abundantly clear: Evans remains one of the most criminally under-rated central defenders in the Premier League and would not look out of place among Guardiola's squad of superstars.

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