Manchester United battling rivals Manchester City to re-sign defender Jonny Evans

Manchester United are set to rival Manchester City in a bid to sign Northern Ireland international defender Jonny Evans this month, according to the Mirror.

The Premier League side, who host Championship side Derby County in the third round of the FA Cup on Friday night, have been heavily linked with an offer for the West Bromwich Albion captain during the January transfer window.

The 30-year-old, who has 67 international caps for his country, has scored one goal in 20 appearances in all competitions for the Baggies so far this season.

Evans, who left Old Trafford back in August 2015 following his reported £8m switch to the Midlands, has netted four times in 85 games overall for West Brom, who find themselves four points adrift of safety in the league table this campaign.

West Bromwich Albion’s James McClean (left) celebrates scoring their first goal with Jonny Evans at West Ham United.

The report claims the club want the centre-half to commit to a new deal at The Hawthorns, otherwise the board are ready to initiate a bidding war for the Northern Irishman this month, with former club United preparing a £20m bid.

With just 18 months remaining on his current deal, West Brom have offered Evans £100,000-a-week to agree to fresh terms on a new deal at the relegation threatened side.

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