Arsenal and Manchester City are set to move for West Bromwich Albion captain Jonny Evans in January.

Evans will be a target for both Premier League clubs when the transfer window opens, with Albion considering whether to cash in to raise funds for new head coach Alan Pardew.

Pep Guardiola, the City manager, is keen to add a new centre-half and failed in a bid to sign Evans in the summer as Albion stuck rigidly to a £30m+ price tag.

The absence of John Stones with a hamstring injury has heightened City’s need for defensive additions, with Real Sociedad’s Inigo Martinez also believed to be on the radar.

But it is believed Albion are already bracing themselves for another bid from the runaway league leaders for the Northern Ireland international.