Get the day's biggest City stories delivered straight to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Manchester City have been given a boost in their pursuit of Jonny Evans as Tony Pulis admits it is "very difficult" when a team like City shows interest.

Evans was left out of West Brom's team to face Burnley and has yet to feature for the Baggies this season as he recovers from injury.

City have already had a £18m bid rejected for the former Manchester United man but reports suggest City will go back with an increased offer of £22m this week.

Guardiola refused to be moved on his opinion of Evans in his pre Everton press conference, merely stating that he is a West Brom player.

Pulis, however, has been talking about City's interest in his club captain.

The West Brom manager explained: "When it's Man City or one of the top four or five clubs, it's very, very difficult then because it affects the player because they have the chance to better themselves.

"We don't want to stop him from doing something he wants to do. We don't want to have a player that stays at the football club and is disappointed.

"He's been in this position before here and he understands the situation, until all parties agree then he won't go anywhere.

"He has been made club captain and he wants to get on with his football."

City have already made seven signings this summer, sending two of those players straight out on loan, but are in the market for a striker and a defender before the window shuts at the end of the month.