West Ham will move for West Brom defender Jonny Evans if the Baggies are relegated this season, claims The Daily Mirror.
Arsenal and Manchester City have been heavily linked with moves for Evans in the last two transfer windows, while the former are expected to rekindle their interest at the end of the season.
West Brom were willing to sell their captain but failed to convince City or Arsenal to pay in excess of £20m for the former Manchester United defender.
Alan Pardew’s side may live to regret not compromising on a fee as Evans has an escape clause of just £3m if West Brom are relegated.
The Baggies are currently bottom of the Premier League and seven points adrift of safety with 10 games left.
West Ham have now entered the race to sign Evans as they will need to sign a new centre-back in the summer following Jose Fonte’s departure last week.
Fonte penned a three-year deal with Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang leaving David Moyes short of a defender for the rest of the campaign.
However, the Hammers can expect to face a lot of competition for Evans’ signature if West Brom are relegated, with the likes of Leicester and Everton also monitoring the situation.
Since August 2015, only two players have won possession in the defensive third more times than Evans (355) in the Premier League.
