West Brom and Sheffield United 'enter talks' to sign Premier League stalwart

West Brom have reportedly initiated contact with former player Jonny Evans over the possibility of returning to The Hawthorns but face competition from Sheffield United.

The Baggies, still firmly in the play-off hunt but likely to be playing Championship football next season, are eager to add strength and depth to their defensive line. Tony Mowbray appreciates experience and is keen to bolster his squad with a veteran or two to help Albion, no matter the division.

Sports Boom reports Evans, whose Manchester United contract expires this summer, is a major target. It’s claimed both West Brom and Sheffield United have expressed an interest in signing the player and have asked for his demands ahead of a potential pre-contract agreement.

Evans, 37, started his career with United having graduated through the club’s world-renowned youth system. But the experienced Northern Ireland international, capped 107 times by his country over an impressive 18-year international career, is not ready to hang up his boots just yet.

With 18 Premier League seasons under his belt, it’s unsurprising the likes of the Blades and the Baggies are admirers of Evans. He is a two-time League Cup winner with United, he won the FA Cup last season and famously won the UEFA Champions League in 2007-08 under legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Such experience, regardless of his advancing age, would be of great benefit to teams in need of a proper leader. Both West Brom and Sheffield United often find themselves in high-pressure situations, whether that be securing pivotal results in a promotion push or attempting to survive relegation back down to the Championship once they make it to the big time.

Evans joining may not be the most glamorous and marquee signing but his presence would probably help a great deal. It’d be a romantic return if he picked West Brom, too, with The Hawthorns faithful very fond of their former player.

Jonny Evans reaches Premier League stalwart status

Evans has enjoyed a distinguished professional career lasting nearly 20 years, playing 198 times for the Red Devils between 2006-2015, before returning to the 13-time Premier League champions for a second spell in July 2023, initially on a short-term deal.

But the Belfast-born centre-back, who also won the FA Cup with Leicester City during a career littered with trophies, soon secured a longer deal and has played 42 games since his return to the start of his football journey via successful spells with Sunderland, West Brom and Leicester City in the Premier League.

Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim is expected to have a big clear-out at Old Trafford this summer, hungry to offload some of the players he inherited from former manager Erik ten Hag. And while Evans is highly regarded for his professionalism at United, at 37 he doesn’t fit the bill of the young players Amorim is trying to sign to strengthen his squad.

Evans has previously been linked with a move to former Scottish Premiership champions Rangers, as well as high-profile move to Saudi Arabia.