According to The Sun, Manchester United are planning to sign one of their former players. The Red Devils want to bring back Jonny Evans from Leicester City. The Irishman left Manchester United for West Brom in 2015 for a fee of $6 million.
Currently, the 32 years old contract expires next summer. He will be a free agent and he can discuss and agree about a potential move to any club in January itself. The centre-back is yet to agree on fresh terms with the Foxes.
While Breden Rodgers is keen to keep him at the King Power Stadium. Since his arrival at Leicester City, he has been a key player for them. Initially, he formed a partnership with Harry Maguire and then with Çağlar Söyüncü, who replaced Maguire.
He has made 82 appearances for the club since signing for them in 2018. The experienced centre-back helped the Foxes finish fifth last season and qualify for Europa League. However, it looks like his time with the club is coming to an end next summer.
Why does Manchester United want to sign him?
As per the report, Ole Gunnars Solksjear wants to improve the defense of his team. This season they have conceded 14 goals in the Premier League from nine games. In these nine games, they have only managed to keep two clean sheets.
Thus the Norwegian wants to add more firepower to his backline. Also, the Red Devils only have $20 million to spend in the January transfer window. They are keeping tabs on Evans’ situation at the club, as he is yet to sign a contract extension.
It is being claimed that both Soksjear and his assistant Mike Phelan are big fans of Evans’ ability. The Sun has quoted a source at the club saying “Johnny’s name has come up in conversation“. Evans experience should definitely help the Red Devils.
Currently, in United’s squad, Maguire and Lindelof are the first choices. While Baily has been there but he is constantly injured. Axel Tuanzebe and Timothy Fosu-Mensah are more of squad players. Thus they need another centre back to add better cover and competition at Old Trafford.
Can Manchester United sign him?
If Manchester United want to sign him in January it will be very difficult. The Sancho saga has exposed how poor United are at negotiating transfers. While the Foxes are very tough negotiators, they will ask for exorbitant fees for Irishman. However it is unlikely, the Red Devils will pay for that.
They can try to sign him for free next summer but Evans would not want a role on the bench at the club. He will be 33 years old and it is likely that he would not prefer to join the Red Devils. Perhaps a move to a Premier League team where he can get more minutes seems more plausible.
Also, Brendon Rodgers will try hard to keep him at the club. Manchester United should start looking for alternatives. Perhaps a loan move plus a compulsory option to buy can be done. Barca’s Samuel Umtiti has fallen down the pecking order and he could be available in January.
Under Solksjear, the Red Devils have given more chances to young players. Perhaps Axel Tuanzebe can be given more chances. He did perform very well when he started the game against PSG away from home in the Champions League.
