Arsenal line up shock £15m bid for Northern Ireland defender

Arsenal are reportedly lining up a surprise £15 million bid for West Bromwich Albion defender Jonny Evans, according to the Daily Mirror.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is looking for an experienced centre-back following the news that Per Mertesacker could be out for several months with a knee injury suffered in their pre-season match against Lens, and has identified the Northern Ireland international as a potential target.

The French boss was keen on signing Evans when he left Manchester United in search of regular first-team football last summer, but the Red Devils weren’t keen to sell the versatile defender, who was also deployed at left-back by the Baggies on a number of occasions last term, to one of their rivals for the Premier League title.

The 28-year-old enjoyed an impressive first campaign at the Hawthorns following an £8 million transfer from United, making 34 appearances as the club finished 14th in the top-flight standings.