Manchester City and Arsenal to battle for former Manchester United defender

Manchester City and Arsenal will renew rivalries for West Brom defender Jonny Evans in the January transfer window, reports The Daily Telegraph.

Both sides failed to sign the former Manchester United defender in the summer but still want to bolster their defensive options in the New Year.

Evans was in line for a bumper new deal as a reward for staying at the club over the summer but he is not expected to renew with the allure of European football elsewhere.

City defender John Stones is currently ruled out until January and Pep Guardiola knows that injury to Vincent Kompany would leave his side vulnerable at the back.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are preparing for the retirement of Per Mertesacker at the end of the season, while Laurent Koscielny’s on-going injury problems means his availability will always be in doubt.

The Baggies are bracing themselves for January interest from their Premier League rivals, but it remains to be seen whether Alan Pardew will be willing to cash in on Evans and use that money to strengthen the squad elsewhere.

In the last three Premier League campaigns only three players have won possession in the defensive third more times than Evans (309).