West Brom boss Alan Pardew blames Arsenal for failure of Jonny Evans transfer

James Benge1 February 2018

West Bromwich Albion manager Alan Pardew says Arsenal left it too late in their pursuit of Jonny Evans.

Arsenal lodged a bid for Evans’ services believed to be worth £12million on Wednesday having previously prioritised their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Pardew admitted on several occasions over the last month that West Brom would consider selling Evans, who has a £3million relegation release clause, should they receive the right offer at the right time.

But the Baggies boss claims Arsenal were well aware of his side’s likely response to a last-minute bid that came in well below their £20m asking price.

Michael Steele/Getty Images

“It wasn’t for lack of warning to Arsenal and to all the clubs,” he said. “I’ve sat here every week saying ‘don’t make a bid on the last day, because you’re not going to get what you want, really’.

“Unless it’s a bid that’s going to knock us off our chair, and it was no way near that. So they [Arsenal] got probably the response they were expecting with that bid, I think.

“Jonny is a very, very important player. He is a great player. He is part of the spine of the team and that’s what I tried to strengthen this window.”

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