Manchester City transfer news: Citizens have £18m bid rejected by West Brom for centre-back Jonny Evans
The 29-year-old former Manchester United defender has emerged as a shock target for Pep Guardiola to bring to the Etihad
WEST BROM have rejected an £18m bid from Manchester City for star defender Jonny Evans, according to reports.
The 29-year-old has emerged as a shock target for Pep Guardiola, who is desperate to bolster his rocky defence.
According to the Telegraph, the Citizens have made an offer which would rise with add-ons, which has been immediately knocked back by the Baggies.
Guardiola has identified the former Manchester United ace as a necessity for his side as he aims to bring in another centre-half to the Etihad.
As we reported earlier on today, Manchester City were lining up a shock swoop for the Northern Irish international.
And now they have turned their interest into a concrete bid, but Tony Pulis is keen to tie Evans down to a new deal at the Hawthorns.
However City will return with a new and improved offer imminently as they look to lure him away before the transfer window closes on September 1.
West Brom are adamant that he is not for sale, and despite bringing in centre-back Ahmed Hegazi on loan, still would need to bring in a replacement for Evans.
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Evans wasn't included in the side that beat Bournemouth 1-0 in their Premier League opener, in which Hegazi scored the winner on his debut.
He is battling a minor injury after picking up a knock while on pre-season duty.
However his Champions League experience is key for Guardiola as he looks to mount a serious charge for Europe's premier competition.
City cannot rely on skipper Vincent Kompany who has been plagued by his own injury problems in recent years, while they are looking to offload Eliaquim Mangala to Inter Milan on a season-long loan.
A need for a defender was heightened after they lost to La Liga newcomers Girona on Tuesday in a friendly clash.
Nicolas Otamendi and Mangala started in Catalonia, but they were outplayed by the Spanish side as they lost 1-0.
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