Leicester poised to wrap up deal for former Manchester United defender

Leicester have triggered Jonny Evans’ £3.5m release clause and are expected to sign the West Brom defender this week, reports BBC Sport.

The Foxes have already signed highly-rated right-back Ricardo Pereira from Porto this summer and are on the verge of bolstering their defence further.

Leicester released Robert Hurth at the end of last season, while captain Wes Morgan will turn 35 in January.

Aleksandar Dragovic failed to convince during his first season at the King Power Stadium and now Leicester are poised to sign Evans.

The Northern Ireland international has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal and Manchester City in the last 12 months but neither firmed up their interest.

The former Manchester United defender was keen to join City in January but has given up on that transfer since they shelled out a club-record fee to sign Aymeric Laporte.

West Brom were demanding around £30m for the 30-year-old at the start of the year but now have to accept £3.5m due to a relegation release clause in Evans’ existing deal.

In the last three Premier League campaigns, only four players have won possession in the defensive third more times than Evans (368).