Arsenal and Manchester City have approached West Bromwich Albion about the prospect of signing Northern Ireland defender Jonny Evans.

Both clubs failed with bids for Evans last summer but they remain interested in the former Manchester United centre-half as they bid to bolster their defences in this month’s transfer window.

West Brom are thought to want around £25 million for Evans, who has 18 months left on his existing contract at the Hawthorns and indicated to the Midlands club, currently second bottom of the Premier League, that he would be unwilling to sign a new deal.

Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, is thought to be open to meeting West Brom’s asking price and Arsenal could also offer right back Mathieu Debuchy as part of the package.

City need cover for captain Vincent Kompany, who continues to be dogged by injury problems, and are prepared to offload Eliaquim Mangala, although the France centre-half was reluctant to move to West Brom last summer.

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Everton are among a number of other suitors who have a watching interest in Evans but there is recognition that they could not compete with City or Arsenal for the 30-year-old, who wants European football and the chance to compete at the top again.

United sold Evans to West Brom for £6 million rising to £8 million in August 2015, since when he has impressed for club and country.

A ball playing centre-half, Evans fits with the way both Wenger and City manager Pep Guardiola want to play. It is thought Evans’ preference would be to remain in the North West, where his family are based, but he would be entirely open to a move to North London.

An interesting sub-plot centres around Alexis Sanchez since City are likely to bring forward plans to sign the Chile striker this month following a knee injury to Gabriel Jesus that could keep the Brazil forward out for two months.

There were reports at the weekend that City have made contact with Arsenal over Sanchez although the North London club’s £35 million valuation is thought to be far more than the Premier League leaders would be prepared to pay for a player they could sign for nothing in the summer. Paris St-Germain and Bayern Munich are also interested in Sanchez.