West Bromwich Albion are ready to make a final contract offer to Jonny Evans, in a bid to repel Manchester City and Arsenal.

Albion will hold talks with the Northern Ireland international over a deal which could be worth up to £100,000 a week, ensuring he becomes the best-paid player in the club's history.

Alan Pardew, the Albion head coach, has recommended a lucrative offer for the defender as he is desperate to keep him for at least the remainder of this season, despite firm Premier League interest. City and Arsenal, plus Everton manager Sam Allardyce, will all target the £30 million-rated star next month and West Brom are bracing themselves for bids.

Albion rejected offers from City, Arsenal and Leicester in the summer and managed to keep the former Manchester United centre-half, sticking to a price tag of around £35m.

Evans will be out of contract at the end of next season and while hopes of him re-signing are understood to be remote, Albion will put an offer on the table. The club's wage bill is high, after a substantial spend over the last year, but there is room to bump up Evans' salary. There is a contingency plan in place if Evans is sold, with Burnley's Ben Mee understood to be a top target.